The LA Kings have set their sights on Adrian Kempe as the team’s top priority this season. The 28-year-old is heading into the final season of a four-year deal signed in 2022.
That situation has prompted Kings’ GM Ken Holland to focus on getting Kempe signed ASAP. In an interview with James Murphy of RG Media published on September 7, Holland was adamant about keeping the former first-round pick from 2014 in the fold.
Holland told Murphy:
“We want to get him signed!”
The exclamatory statement bubbled to the surface as Murphy asked Holland about a report by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period in which Pagnotta claimed that the Kings and Kempe were far apart on a new contract.
Holland reiterated his position by stating:
“I’ve had some brief conversations with [agent] J.P. Berry. We’ll get going here at some point in the next short while. And he’s obviously a top priority. I believe he wants to stay, and we’ll see if we can get the process started and hopefully find a solution. We’ll get going here at some point soon, like I said. And he’s obviously a top priority. I believe he wants to stay, and we’ll see if we can get the process started and hopefully find a solution.”
Kempe is slated to become a UFA next summer. While the Kings will be looking to lock him up long term, the Swedish winger may be tempted to test free agency. Given the salary cap increase next season, Kempe could be in line for a big payday regardless of where he signs.
Kings GM praises Kempe’s game
It’s no secret that Ken Holland is an Adrian Kempe fan. In his conversation with Murphy, Holland extolled Kempe’s best attributes. Holland declared:
“He’s a shooter. He can play 200 feet. He kills penalties. He’s got a shot. He can play on the power play. He can one-time pucks. He’s got a quick release. He can be a one-shot scorer. Some people need lots of chances. He gets open, gets a shot. He can play left wing or right wing.”
Kempe’s versatility is an asset. But there’s also one other valuable skill that Holland covets in Kempe:
“He’s a good skater. He can skate. He’s just a really good player, 200-foot player. He’s just a really important player on the team.”
It’s Kempe’s strong skating skills that allow him to play well on both wings. His defensive skills also make him an extremely valuable piece to the Kings’ lineup.
Without Kempe, it’s tough to imagine what the Kings could do to offset his departure. So, Holland will have no choice but to put his money where his mouth is and re-sign the team’s top-line winger.