This week, the rumor mill has been constantly generating discussion and speculation regarding the contract situation with winger Adrian Kempe and the Los Angeles Kings early this regular season.
Adrian Kempe asking price could be going higher after other recent contracts signed by high-profile forwards outside of the Los Angeles Kings
Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers reported on Oct. 9 that the Kings are in "negotiations" with Kempe. But he also reported that talks are "ongoing" between Kempe and the Kings and that his asking price "has climbed" in the past couple of weeks.
It sounds like Kempe's contract extension has climbed a little bit over $10 million in average annual value for his next deal with the Kings in LA this fall. Recent reports have indicated that Kempe's asking price could be hovering around $11 million at least in average annual value for his current contract asking price with the Kings.
This past week, we mentioned in a piece on the site that Kempe could be the "next big NHL contract" with the Kings that's signed among high-profile forwards and wingers in the league this fall.
This comes after the Minnesota Wild signed star forward Kirill Kaprizov to a record-breaking contract extension this preseason last week. The Edmonton Oilers also made headlines with the highly-anticipated two-year contract extension signed with superstar Connor McDavid earlier this week.
Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week that Kempe and the Kings are in "no rush" to get a deal done for his contract extension early this regular season in early October. But LeBrun did note that Kempe does "want to stay in LA" going into next offseason in 2026.
"Adrian Kempe, entering last year of his contract, just sat down with our media gathering at the NHL Player Media Tour in Vegas. He says there's no rush from his end or the team on an extension but he feels talks will pick up in the next few weeks or months. Wants to stay in LA."Pierre LeBrun
A couple of the other forwards mentioned who could be looking at big contract extensions soon around the NHL in the league are Colorado Avalanche's Martin Necas and Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch.