July 15, 2025 | 2:50pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KINGS ABOUT TO RAMP UP KEMPE CONTRACT TALKS

Adrian Kempe, forward

The Los Angeles Kings have two key players now in the final year their respective contracts and GM Ken Holland plans on getting one of them locked up to a new long-term deal sooner than later.

During an interview on NHL Morning Skate on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio this morning, Holland acknowledged that he plans on intensifying contract discussions with forward Adrian Kempe in the near future.

Kempe, 28, is in the final year of a four-year, $22 million contract and is now eligible to sign an extension with the club, something he has acknowledged he would like to do.

“We’ve talked a couple of times,” Holland said of discussions with Kempe’s agent, J.P. Barry. “We’re going to get ramped up here. Obviously, I’d like to sign him to an extension. He’s an important guy on the team. I believe he wants to stay.”

The Kings and Kempe’s camp have not yet gotten into the meat and potatoes of negotiations just yet, but Kempe is believed to be looking for around $10 million per season on his next contract.

In 81 games with the Kings this past season, Kempe registered 35 goals and 38 assist for 73 points, leading the team in points for the second consecutive season.

“I’ve got to get going on that front,” Holland admitted. “Certainly, I want to get him signed to a long-term deal, he’s a real important part of the team.”

Meanwhile, Kings captain Anze Kopitar is also in the last year of his contract, but given his status with the organization, he plans on taking his time before making any decisions about his future.

“In Kopitar’s case, he wants to take it a year at a time, and he’ll assess where he’s at, at the end of the season,” Holland said. “I respect that, he’s earned that right. I know he’s excited for the upcoming year and somewhere down the road we’ll talk about the following season.”

Kopitar, who turns 38 next month, tallied 21 goals and 46 assists for 67 points in 81 games with the Kings in 2024-25.