Adrian Kempe has made his position crystal clear: he wants to finish his career in Los Angeles. The question isn’t whether the Swedish winger loves the Los Angeles Kings or the city. The question is whether both sides can bridge the gap between desire and dollars. With Kempe entering the final year of his contract and reportedly seeking a significant raise, the Kings face a decision that could define their offensive future for years to come.
Will Adrian Kempe Stay With the Kings Long Term?
Speaking at the NHL Player Media Tour this week, the 28-year-old forward didn’t mince words about his intentions. “I love LA. My family likes it. So that’s the place I want to be,” Kempe said. “But it has to be fair for me and it has to be fair for the team to come to an agreement. That’s what we’re working on right now.”
The reality is that Kempe is entering the last year of his four-year, $22 million deal signed back in 2022. That contract carries a $5.5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause. Extension talks have reportedly started, but there’s still distance between what Kempe wants and what the Kings are willing to commit.
According to insider David Pagnotta, Kempe is believed to be aiming for around $10 million annually. The Kings, meanwhile, are said to be circling closer to $9 million. It’s not a massive gap, but it’s enough to keep the two sides at the negotiating table.
The jump in Kempe’s asking price makes sense when you look at his recent production. He led the Kings in scoring again last season with 35 goals and 73 points in 81 games. In the playoffs, he added 10 more points, though Los Angeles bowed out early against the Edmonton Oilers. Kempe has now scored 35 or more goals in three of the past four seasons, including a career-best 41 in 2022-23.
Over 630 career NHL games, all in black and silver, Kempe has racked up 401 points.
Why Does Adrian Kempe Matter to the Kings’ Future?
The timing of these negotiations adds another layer of complexity. Captain Anze Kopitar, who has carried the franchise for almost 20 years, is also on an expiring deal. Forward Andrei Kuzmenko enters his own contract year as well. The lineup is shifting, and so are the long-term decisions facing the organization.
However, the Kings will have financial flexibility to work with. The team projects to have more than $33 million in space by the 2026-27 season, when the cap is expected to jump to $104 million. That’s considerable room to maneuver, but timing matters in these situations.
If the Kings wait too long, Kempe could become one of the most attractive names in a loaded 2026 free-agent class. That scenario would force Los Angeles to compete with 31 other teams for his services instead of negotiating from their current position of leverage.
General manager Ken Holland understands what’s at stake. Since taking the job in May, he’s called Kempe a priority and has already opened talks with agent J.P. Barry. “He’s an important guy on the team,” Holland said, stressing that he wants the winger locked in.
The math is straightforward: Kempe is in his prime, produces consistently, and has proven he can score in the postseason. Letting him reach the open market would be a gamble that could cost them their top offensive threat. For a franchise looking to build around its core while transitioning from the Kopitar era, keeping Kempe isn’t just smart. It’s essential.