Kings Rumors: Kempe's Next Contract Firmly Above $10 Million AAV
The Los Angeles Kings aren't in the best spot moving forward. Anze Kopitar is retiring after the season, Drew Doughty is aging and close to the end of his contract, there are some poor deals on the books, and Adrian Kempe is without a new contract.
The most pressing concern is Kempe, as he is a UFA after the season and arguably the Kings' best player. He is off to a hot start this season with two goals and five points through four games played. It's not a stretch to think that, in his prime, he can be a point-per-game player.
Since breaking out four seasons ago, he has scored 35+ goals three times and finished with 70+ points in each of the past two seasons. He has been close, coming within two points of being a point-per-game player.
Kempe could realistically be the highest paid player on the Kings with his next contract. David Pagnotta reported that, "Nothing is close. Sounds like this one is going to take a little bit of time. This is a player that's probably going to be hovering around $11 million...if he's going the full term."
With a drafted and developed talent like Kempe that has really paid off, and with the state of the Kings, contract length is probably the most important part of the next deal for LA. The more key pieces they have under contract, the better shot they have at finally breaking through in the playoffs and going on a deeper run.
If Kempe's next contract is around $11 million AAV, that is fair considering the recent deals signed by Kyle Connor, Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, and Jack Eichel. Teams have to lock down their stars or they are going to sign elsewhere with plenty of other teams willing to pay.
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