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Kings on the Verge of Signing Star Winger to Possible $80 Million Contract

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 10:28 PM ET

The Los Angeles Kings are reportedly close to a contract extension with Adrian Kempe, who could earn as much as $80 million on his next deal.

Adrian Kempe is one of the top players on the Los Angeles Kings, and he's now eligible for a contract extension.

He plays for a Kings club that has been frustrated by the divisional foe Edmonton Oilers in the opening round of the WCQF in each of the last 4 years, and Kempe's presence is a vital key in ensuring that not only keeping the Kings in postseason contention but to break through to the WCSF.

Per Brian la Rose of ProHockeyRumors, Kempe's next contract could be worth more than the $51 million contract that Nikolaj Ehlers agreed to earlier this month with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Earlier this offseason, AFP Analytics projected a seven-year, $64.225MM deal for Kempe, one that would carry a $9.175MM AAV. When this contract kicks in for the 2026-27 campaign, the salary cap is expected to be $104MM at that time, a jump of $8.5MM. This year, the biggest contract for a winger was Nikolaj Ehlers' six-year, $51MM deal with Carolina (a cap hit of $8.5MM) so it would make sense that Kempe's number should check in a bit above that, at least based on the way the market has operated this summer.
A contract in that price range would make Kempe their highest-paid forward and second-highest-paid player behind defenseman Drew Doughty.

New Kings GM Ken Holland, who took over from Rob Blake after he wasn't brought back, recently said that negotiations are being ramped up up with Kempe.

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. J.P. Barry said he wants to stay. I did talk to Adrian the day I was announced as manager, and got really good feelings from him. So, I've gotta get going on that front. Certainly, I want to get him signed to a long-term deal. He's an important part of the team.

Kempe had 73 points (35G, 38A) this year for the Kings, who were 2nd overall in the Pacific Division.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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