Los Angeles Kings rushing to re-sign Adrian Kempe after stellar start

The Los Angeles Kings are on the brink of signing a new contract with Adrian Kempe, which will definitely be a costly one. The Swedish player has, nevertheless, put himself into the spotlight as one of the players who will be discussed most in the league.

Kempe's impressive statistics—goals, assists, and game-winning plays—have been continuously increasing. Thus, insiders are stating that the Kings are rushing contract negotiations to prevent the player from testing the free agent market.

Why the Kings can’t afford to lose Adrian Kempe this offseason

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the Kings are going to renew their contract talks with Kempe after a brief interruption at the start of the season. In his 32 Thoughts column, Friedman stated that Los Angeles initially aimed for a deal around $9 million per season, but the figure has somehow increased after Kempe's recent brilliance.

The 27-year-old winger has been incredible, producing five multi-point games in just eight matches so far. He had a primary assist on Cody Ceci's goal and then scored the overtime winner on Thursday against the Dallas Stars, celebrating with a playful "horns down" gesture that got the fans talking. He has recorded back-to-back OT winners, the first one being against the St. Louis Blues a few days back.With players like Kyle Connor ($12M AAV), Kirill Kaprizov ($17M AAV), and Connor McDavid ($12.5M AAV) establishing new salary ranges, rumors around the league suggest that Kempe's next contract may well be north of $10–11 million per year.

This would be a well-deserved increase from his current $5.5 million cap hit.

Kempe’s clutch factor too valuable to lose

In the scenario being played out, Ken Holland, the general manager, knows perfectly well what the stakes are. The Kings' offensive lifeline has turned out to be Kempe's ability to perform in high-pressure situations. He is proving to be an indispensable player both on and off the ice — from tying games in the dying seconds to sealing dramatic wins.With contract negotiations intensifying, one thing is certain - Adrian Kempe has outdone his former contract and is worthy of being called a superstar. His output, influence, and dazzling style are the key factors in the Kings' season, thus making him a foundational element of their future. If the L.A. team wants to keep its competitive edge and maintain its identity, re-signing Kempe is not a choice but a necessity.Also Read: NHL Trade Rumor: Alex Tuch trade buzz intensifies as Edmonton Oilers eye roster