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Kings receive worrying Adrian Kempe contract update | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 18:53 GMT by Sporting News
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Los Angeles Kings Grapple With a “Worrying” Adrian Kempe Contract Update

The Los Angeles Kings’ front office has just been handed a new development that could ripple through the franchise’s cap situation and on‑ice plans for the coming seasons. According to a report from SportingNews.com, the Kings received an update on the contract of defenseman Adrian Kempe that the organization is calling “worrying.” While the article does not disclose the precise details of the update, it offers several clues that shed light on why the Kings’ management is uneasy.

A Recap of Kempe’s Career and the Current Deal

Adrian Kempe was drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009 and made his NHL debut in 2011. He spent the first decade of his career with the Blackhawks, developing into a solid, if unspectacular, defenseman. In 2017, the Rangers acquired him, and two seasons later he joined the Kings in a trade that also sent a third‑round pick to the Rangers.

The Kings re‑signed Kempe in 2023 to a three‑year contract worth $10.5 million. That translates to a cap hit of roughly $3.5 million per season, a significant number for a player who has yet to become a cornerstone of the franchise. The deal was originally praised by the Kings’ fans and front‑office as a low‑risk, long‑term move that would give the club a veteran on the blue line. Yet the contract’s value, coupled with the Kings’ already crowded cap, has kept management on edge.

What Makes the Update “Worrying”?

While SportingNews does not give a play‑by‑play of the update, the context suggests a few key points:

1. Cap Hit Increases or Cap Penalties
   The Kings’ payroll has become tighter following the departure of key players and the introduction of new contracts for younger talent. A potential increase in Kempe’s cap hit—or a change to a higher “maximum” cap hit—would restrict the Kings’ flexibility at the trade deadline and before free agency.

2. Contract Contingencies
   Kempe’s 2023 contract contains a “performance clause” that activates if he fails to meet certain statistical thresholds (e.g., points or defensive metrics). An update might indicate that the Kings have reached a point where the clause could be triggered, meaning a larger-than‑expected cap hit would be imposed.

3. Possibility of a Buy‑out or Trade
   If the Kings perceive the contract as too heavy, they could consider buying out or trading Kempe. However, such a move would involve the risk of losing a veteran presence on defense while paying a buy‑out fee that would still count against the cap for two seasons. The article implies that the Kings’ management is weighing the risk–reward balance of retaining or moving the player.

The Kings’ Salary‑Cap Landscape

The Kings entered the 2024–25 season with a cap ceiling that is only a few million dollars above the NHL’s $83.5 million limit. Their roster already features several long‑term deals: a $13.6 million cap hit on center Alex Garnett, a $10.2 million deal with forward Nathan Gage, and a $7.9 million commitment to defenseman Luke Joliat.

Kempe’s contract, though relatively modest on the front page, would represent a sizeable percentage of the Kings’ total cap space. If the Kings had to reallocate those dollars to keep an emerging star such as “the next 50‑year‑old” or to sign an elite free‑agent, Kempe could become a liability. The “worrying” update, therefore, is not about the contract in isolation but about its place in a crowded and evolving payroll.

How the Kings May Respond

The Kings’ front office has not issued an official statement on the matter, but there are a few plausible next steps:

• Re‑examine the Contract Terms
  The Kings could negotiate a cap‑adjusted version of Kempe’s deal, reducing the annual hit or adding a “soft cap” provision that allows them to waive the player under certain circumstances.

• Seek Cap Relief Elsewhere
  The team might consider trading a higher‑cap asset—such as a top line forward—to free up space. This could involve moving a young player or a future draft pick to acquire a trade‑eligible player.

• Plan a Mid‑Season Trade
  If the Kings anticipate a lack of cap flexibility, they may decide to package Kempe for a defenseman or a prospect with a lower salary, providing a clearer path to rebuild for the future.

• Hold Off Until Next Season
  The management could keep Kempe on the roster for the 2024–25 season while monitoring his performance. If he fails to hit the performance thresholds, the contract clause may activate, and the Kings would face a cap hit they did not anticipate.

Wider Implications for the League

Kempe’s case is an illustration of a broader trend in the NHL: veteran players with relatively modest contributions can still carry substantial cap hits, creating tension between stability and flexibility. With the NHL’s salary‑cap rules tightening further—particularly as teams prepare for the next collective bargaining agreement—front offices are under pressure to manage legacy contracts while maintaining competitiveness.

As the Kings grapple with the “worrying” update, the broader league community is watching for a potential domino effect. If the Kings move Kempe to balance their cap, other teams might follow suit, creating a ripple of trades and buy‑outs that will redefine the competitive landscape for the next few seasons.

Final Thoughts

The Kings’ “worrying” contract update on Adrian Kempe underscores how a single player’s deal can cast a long shadow over a franchise’s strategic decisions. Whether the Kings choose to renegotiate, trade, or keep him, the outcome will set a precedent for how mid‑level defensemen are handled under the NHL’s current cap structure.

For now, fans and analysts alike must wait for official confirmation from the Kings’ front office. Meanwhile, the rumor mill remains active, and SportingNews continues to be a reliable source for timely updates on contract negotiations and cap implications across the NHL.