The Los Angeles Kings, two days after announcing they agreed to an entry-level contract with Kirill Kirsanov, were able to get a deal done with one of their restricted free agents. The team would agree to a one-year, two-way deal with Martin Chromiak that will keep him with the franchise through the upcoming season.
Chromiak was a fifth round pick by the Kings in the 2020 NHL Draft and has spent the past three seasons playing for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. The Kings have watched a player steadily improve each season from 15 goals and 13 assists in 55 games in the 2022-23 season to 18 goals and 21 assists in 69 games this past season.
The 39 points this past season was fifth on the Ontario Reign and at 22 years old he still has room to grow. That is why this is a deal that makes too much sense for the Kings to not get done.
Grade for the LA Kings signing restricted free agent Martin Chromiak: A-
There isn't much to not like about this deal but the question will be whether or not Chromiak can take that next step this upcoming season. He is unlikely to start the season with the Los Angeles Kings but could be in line for a bigger role with the Reign that could put him in position to work his way up to the NHL after that.
If he gets off to a fast start next season, it wouldn't be out of the question that he gets called up at some point due to injuries among the forwards. This is a low-risk move that at worst gives the Reign one of their top forwards and at best Chromiak continues to develop and shows he is ready for the NHL.