The Los Angeles Kings and new general manager Ken Holland were busy at work making roster moves on Tuesday morning (Dec. 2). Early this week, the Kings made the move to sign center Sammy Helenius to a two-year contract extension worth a total of $1.75 million in cap hit ($875K in average annual value).
Los Angeles Kings sign big and physical center Sammy Helenius to a two-year contract extension
The team officially announced the contract extension deal for two years that Helenius signed this morning.
This new contract extension deal for Helenius looks to be a one-way deal for both seasons, through the end of the 2027-28 campaign for the Kings. With the new contract extension he signed today, Helenius is now slated to be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2028.
Helenius was originally slated to be a restricted free agent this upcoming summer in the 2026 offseason.
The 6-foot-6 and 200-pound 23-year-old center was picked 59th overall in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Kings in the early 2020s decade. He's made quick progress in the Kings' minor league and developmental system, blossoming into a physical and versatile depth center who can play a bottom-six role with LA in the league this regular season.
Helenius made his NHL debut for the Kings this past regular season in the 2024-25 campaign. He registered one assist and one total point in a 5-2 win for the Kings over the Columbus Blue Jackets at home in early November in his debut in the league in the NHL in the 2024-25 regular season.
He spent most of this past regular season with the Kings, registering four goals and seven total points in 50 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
Last fall in training camp, Helenius turned heads with the Kings' coaching staff and ultimately made it onto the roster in the league in the NHL for LA and head coach Jim Hiller in early November.
Helenius had an up and down road for the Kings early this regular season this fall. He has worked hard and earned his way onto the roster recently this fall for Hiller and the Kings.