September 25, 2025 | 11:58am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KINGS, KEMPE WORKING TOWARDS LONG-TERM DEAL

Adrian Kempe, forward

The Los Angeles Kings and star forward Adrian Kempe continue negotiations on a long-term contract extension, but there remains a fair amount of work to do before closing the gap between the two parties.

As TFP’s Dennis Bernstein reported on Wednesday, there is still “lots of work to be done” on a new deal and a contract is not yet close.

According to separate sources close to the negotiations, the new financial landscape of the league, as it relates to the rising salary cap, has affected talks and appears to be a reason why the likes of Kempe and other stars in the final year of their contracts, such as Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel and Martin Necas, haven’t been locked up, to date, either.

During the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour in Las Vegas earlier this month, Kempe expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles during an interview with Bernstein, David Pagnotta and Scott Laughlin on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.

“I would like to get it done as soon as possible, but I don’t want to rush anything,” Kempe said. “But I also don’t want to come around after Christmas and the (trade) deadline’s coming up and I’m sitting there not knowing where we’re at or we’re not on terms. Before Christmas would be great, before camp would be great.”

Kempe is looking for a deal north of $10 million per season, presumably on an eight-year extension, and may be pushing for closer to $11 million.

Discussions between Kings GM Ken Holland and Kempe’s agent J.P. Barry have continued this week and are expected to remain ongoing until a contract can be finalized, with the goal being the start of the season.

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.