LA Kings Working On Extensions for 2 Pending UFAs

The Los Angeles Kings got some big business done this past offseason, most notably completing a blockbuster trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois, as well as re-signing captain Anze Kopitar to a two-year extension. But the boardroom work isn't done yet, even as the regular season gets underway. 

GM Rob Blake has indicated that he's working on new contract extensions for pending unrestricted free agents Viktor Arvidsson and Matt Roy, and that they “could come around Christmas,” per Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period.

The 30-year-old Arvidsson has been rejuvenated since arriving in LA before the 2021-22 season, returning to 20-goal status for the first time in three years, and then doubling-down on that this past year, popping 26 markers and adding 33 assists for a 59-point season, his best since 2017-18. He's now had five 20+ goal seasons in his eight full campaigns in the NHL. He's heading into the final season of a 7-year, $4.25M AAV contract. 

Often referred to as "quietly effective", Roy has been a solid top-four defenseman with the Kings, logging an average of 19 minutes per night in his five seasons there, while compiling a plus/minus of +46. Last year, he ranked in the top 15 in the NHL in blocked shots per 60 minutes, with a career-high 5.7, as well as logging plenty of time on the penalty kill. He's on the final year of a $3.15M cap hit.

Both players are key components of the Kings' lineup, and Blake is obviously intent on keeping them. 

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports