LA Kings: Matt Roy signs three-year contract extension

The LA Kings have already checked an item off their offseason to-do list by signing Matt Roy to a contract extension on Sunday.

The LA Kings have locked up a key member of their blue line.

The team announced on Sunday that defenseman Matt Roy has agreed to a three-year, $9.45-million contract extension ($3.15 M AAV).

https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/1373671839663190017

Roy, 26, will be eligible for unrestricted free agency when his new contract expires after the 2023-24 season. He was set to become a restricted free agent after this season.

A seventh-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2015, Roy debuted with the Kings during the 2018-19 season and has since cemented himself as a regular on their blueline. He has six goals and 25 assists for 31 points in 119 career games, including seven assists in 24 games this season. In his first full season last year, Roy finished 13th in Calder Trophy voting, receiving one fifth-place vote.

Roy may not put up a ton of points from the back end but there’s no denying the positive impact he has on the team overall. His steady presence was sorely missed when he sat out five games earlier in the season due to an injury suffered when he was hit into the boards by Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala. Roy’s average ice time of 19:16 this season ranks third among LA Kings defensemen.