Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
In an exclusive interview with RG, Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland set the record straight on the team’s intentions for star center Adrian Kempe and defenseman Brandt Clarke.
A recent report by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested that the Kings and Kempe, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, were $1 million apart on contract negotiations for an extension.
“While over their summer, there seemed to be a financial gap between Kempe and the Los Angeles Kings, and I’m not sure that has closed much, so far,” Pagnotta reported this past Thursday.
“Kempe is looking for a deal in the $10 million AAV range over eight years, while the Kings started talks under the $9 million mark.”
Holland Prioritizes Kempe
When asked about that report by RG, Holland made it clear that locking up Kempe is a priority.
“We want to get him signed!” Holland replied emphatically when asked about Pagnotta’s report.
“I’ve had some brief conversations with [agent] J.P. Berry. We’ll get going here at some point in the next short while. And he’s obviously a top priority. I believe he wants to stay, and we’ll see if we can get the process started and hopefully find a solution. We’ll get going here at some point soon, like I said. And he’s obviously a top priority. I believe he wants to stay, and we’ll see if we can get the process started and hopefully find a solution.”
Holland went on to praise the 28-year-old winger, who has had 35 or more goals in three of the past four seasons and has averaged more than 67 points per season.
“Well, obviously, we played them in the series for three years, and I was on the other side,” the former Oilers general manager said.
“He’s a shooter. He can play 200 feet. He kills penalties. He’s got a shot. He can play on the power play. He can one-time pucks. He’s got a quick release. He can be a one-shot scorer. Some people need lots of chances. He gets open, gets a shot. He can play left wing or right wing. He’s a good skater. He can skate. He’s just a really good player, 200-foot player. He’s just a really important player on the team.”
Wait-and-See on Clarke
Defenseman Brandt Clarke, 22, is heading into the final season of his three-year, $2.5 million ($863,000 AAV) entry-level contract. Unlike the veteran Kempe, Holland is going to take a wait-and-see approach with the eighth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft.
“I think he’s a really talented guy with a bright future,” Holland said of Clarke. “Now we’ve got to figure out where it’s going. I think the best way is to…I mean, I know him, but I don’t know him. Do you know what I mean? Right.
I mean, I was sitting in Vernon, B.C., all winter, you know, watching games. I mean, I’ve talked to people. I’ve got to get to camp and watch. I’ve got to see him on the ice, and I’ve got to talk to him and have a meeting with him. And I’ve got to get a feel for, I know the team, but I don’t know the team, if you know what I mean.
I’ve got to get to know all the people and the way they think and how they play. And, I mean, I watched them. I’ve talked to the coach. I’ve spoken to [Kings president] Luc Robitaille. We’ve watched video. I’ve spoken to [director of hockey operations] Jake Goldberg. I’ve talked to [assistant GM] Nelson Emerson. But I still trust my own eyes as well for an opinion.”