The Los Angeles Kings announced Monday they’ve locked up Adrian Kempe with an eight-year contract extension.
The deal carries a $10.625-million average annual value, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Kempe was in the final season of a four-year contract with a $5.5-million cap hit. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The 29-year-old Swedish winger leads the Kings with 19 points through 19 games this season.
Kempe’s posted six goals and 13 assists while playing primarily on Los Angeles’ top line alongside captain Anze Kopitar. His three game-winning goals rank fourth in the NHL.
The Kings selected Kempe 29th overall in the 2014 first round. He’s spent his entire 10-year career in Los Angeles, playing both left and right wing.
Career numbers: 200 goals and 420 points across 649 regular-season games.
Kempe’s also recorded 84 power-play goals and 383 penalty minutes during his time with the Kings. The extension keeps one of the team’s core players locked up through his prime years.
The deal represents a significant raise from his current $5.5-million cap hit. It’s a clear sign the Kings view Kempe as a cornerstone piece moving forward.
