Kings Make Right Decision on Adrian Kempe

Los Angeles Kings fans will no longer have to worry at night about whether star forward Adrian Kempe will stay in Southern California because the team announced that it has locked in the 29-year-old Swede on an eight-year, $85 million contract extension. The deal carries an average annual value of $10.625 million.

Kempe was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this season, but now he’s set to remain in Los Angeles for a long time. What’s even better is that, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Kempe agreed to a contract worth less than what he probably could’ve received on the open market because he wanted to stay in Los Angeles.

The @LAKings have signed forward Adrian Kempe to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $10,625,000 through the 2033-34 season.
📰: https://t.co/4hyN452d2p pic.twitter.com/E4nPo3aePf
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) November 17, 2025

“We are thrilled to have Adrian signed for the next eight seasons,” Kings general manager Ken Holland said in a press release following the announcement. “He is an elite competitor who’s developed into one of the league’s most dynamic two-way forwards, and his growth since joining the Kings organization has been tremendous. Adrian’s presence both as a player and a leader is incredibly valuable to the team.”

Holland went on to add that both sides were committed to finding a deal that “reflects Adrian’s importance to us while keeping our long-term goals of building a team capable of contending every season in mind.”

Was It the Right Move?

Extending Kempe was unquestionably the correct decision for the Kings. Without his first-line production, Los Angeles loses a major scoring threat who’s also able to punch above his weight defensively.

Through 19 games this season, Kempe has already put up six goals and notched a team-high 19 points. Where he’s been especially lethal — and where the Kings desperately need his abilities — is on the power play. Five of his points have come with the man advantage, which further indicates how big of a linchpin he can be.

The Kings are currently in first place in the Pacific Division with 24 points, narrowly leading the Anaheim Ducks by one. There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind that the team wouldn’t be in that position were it not for Kempe, which is a major reason why Holland and the rest of the Los Angeles front office decided it was in their best interest to seek out a deal now rather than wait until the offseason.

Kempe Wants to Win in Los Angeles

On the Kempe side of things, it could be argued that he should’ve become a free agent and tested the open market. After all, a player like him could probably command an annual salary well above the $10.625 million he just signed with the Kings. But sometimes there are things more important than money, and all indications point toward Kempe wanting to stay in Los Angeles for the rest of his career.

Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kemp — Oct 28, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings right winger Adrian Kempe (9) waits for play to resume against the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

It’s a noble stance that leads one to believe that his career aspiration is not to make as much money as possible, but to win a Stanley Cup in Los Angeles. The good news is that it’s an attainable task, because if the Kings keep playing like they are now, they’ll not only make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, but they might also actually win it all this time around.

Of course, with all major transactions like this, time will tell if Kempe’s loyalty pays off, or whether he should’ve bolted elsewhere when he had the chance. For now, there’s no need to think about what could go wrong, because the Kings and Kempe have renewed their wedding vows, and it’s time to kick off the celebration. Both sides hope that the party ultimately concludes in a summer parade through the hills of Hollywood.

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