Major Contract Extension Keeps Kempe in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant commitment to their offensive star, signing forward Adrian Kempe to an eight-year contract extension worth $85 million. The deal, announced on Monday, ensures the Swedish player remains with the franchise that drafted him, preventing what could have been a costly departure to free agency.
The contract carries an average annual value of $10.625 million, keeping the Kings comfortably under the $11 million threshold that many had speculated would be necessary to secure the services of the dynamic forward. This strategic financial management demonstrates the organization's commitment to building a competitive team while maintaining salary cap flexibility.
Kempe's Journey and Performance Metrics
At 29 years old, Kempe was approaching the end of a four-year, $22 million contract that he had signed with the Kings back on July 10, 2022. That previous agreement carried an average annual value of $5.5 million, meaning this new contract represents nearly a doubling of his compensation.
Without this extension, Kempe could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season, potentially allowing other NHL teams to bid for his services. However, the Kings moved decisively to ensure their key offensive catalyst remains in Los Angeles for the prime years of his career.
Kempe has emerged as the Kings' leading scorer over the past two seasons and has started the current campaign strongly with 19 points in just 19 games. His breakout 2022-23 season saw him score a career-high 41 goals, followed by a 75-point performance (28 goals, 47 assists) in 2023-24. Last season, he maintained his elite production with 73 points (35 goals, 38 assists) across 81 games.
How the Kings Secured the Deal
Several factors contributed to the successful negotiation of this long-term agreement. The structure of the contract was carefully crafted to meet both the player's needs and the team's financial constraints. Equally important was Kempe's own preference to remain in Los Angeles, where he has developed strong connections and believes in the team's competitive future.
Reports indicate that Kempe was willing to accept slightly less than his maximum potential market value to ensure a long-term fit with the Kings organization. This willingness to prioritize stability and familiarity over potentially higher earnings elsewhere played a crucial role in finalizing the deal.
Los Angeles General Manager Ken Holland expressed his enthusiasm about the signing, stating, "We are thrilled to have Adrian signed for the next eight seasons." He further elaborated on Kempe's value to the organization, noting, "He is an elite competitor who's developed into one of the League's most dynamic two-way forwards, and his growth since joining the Kings organization has been tremendous."
Holland also highlighted the collaborative nature of the negotiations, explaining that "both sides were committed to finding a structure that reflects Adrian's importance to us while keeping our long-term goals of building a team capable of contending every season in mind."
Playoff Performance and International Career
Beyond his regular-season accomplishments, Kempe has demonstrated his value in postseason play. He has accumulated 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 28 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including an impressive 10 points (four goals, six assists) in just six games during last season's playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Swedish forward's international career continues to flourish as well. Kempe has been named to Sweden's preliminary roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, building on his experience representing his country at the 4 Nations Face-Off last season.
This contract extension represents a major victory for the Kings organization, securing one of their most valuable assets through what should be the most productive years of his career while maintaining financial flexibility to build a competitive roster around him.
