Free agency is a period in which teams can sign or re-sign free agents to upgrade their roster, add depth or build their minor league system. This period is between the NHL Draft and the start of the regular season. The Los Angeles Kings have done a bit of each so far, adding one big free agent , re-signing a core piece and adding depth to their organization.
The big free agent acquisition was F Ilya Kovalchuk, as he was signed to a 3 year, $18.75 million deal. Kovalchuk, the #1 pick in 2002 by the Atlanta Thrashers, has 816 points (417 goals, 399 assists) in 11 seasons split between the Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. He has 27 points in 32 career playoff games. The prolific goal scorer has scored 52 goals in both 1005-06 and 2007-08 seasons, scored 30 goals 9 times and 40 goals 5 times.From 2013-18 played for the SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, scoring 31 goals and 32 assists for 63 points in 53 games last season. The team also signed 2018 1st round pick, Rasmus Kupari, to a 3 year, entry level contract and F Zach Mitchell to a 1 year, $650,000 deal.
D Drew Doughty was re-signed by the Kings. The 2015-16 Norris Trophy winner signed an 8 year, $88 million dollar deal to remain with the franchise that selected him #2 overall in 2008. The team also resigned D Paul LaDue (2 years, $825,000 per year), D Kurtis MacDermid (2 years, $675,000 per year) and D Alex Lintuniemi (1 year, $650,000 per year).
The kings also lost some players as well and they include D Christian Folin (Philadelphia), D Kevin Gravel (Edmonton), F Michael Mersch (Dallas), G Scott Wedgewood (Buffalo), F Tobias Rieder (Edmonton) and D Jordan Subban (Toronto).
Photo: sny.tv
