The Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the NHL are preparing for the start of free agency this week. This is the time for teams to make their best pitch to prospective players and there are many factors that go into that from state-tax and location. While these are things they can't control, one thing they can control is selling the future of the franchise and one way is showing the players that are currently on the roster.
For the Kings, they have an older core of players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty but have some players in their prime or about to be in their prime. This includes players like Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe, who could actually help the Kings sign free agents if they get a new deal done tomorrow.
Kempe is entering the final year of his current contract and has been one of their more consistent players over the past few seasons, with 35 or more goals in three of the four seasons, while having 70 or more points in the past two seasons. The Kings should be looking to sign Kempe to a max-term deal, but must wait until July 1st to get the deal done due to CBA rules.
Adrian Kempe in Los Angeles long-term can help attract free agents
While players want to maximize their earnings, they also want to compete for Stanley Cups and want to be on teams committed to that. The Kings can show that by extending Adrian Kempe and sell a new core of players like Kempe, Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke.
If the Kings could extend Kempe on the first day of free agency, it could create some excitement that might be the difference for some free agents like Mitch Marner or Brock Boeser who could bring them to Los Angeles.