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Los Angeles Kings F Dustin Brown Putting His Team in Tough Position

By Ryan Ritchie

Mar 22, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown (23) between the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown (23) between the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Kings F Dustin Brown Is Putting His Team in a Tough Position with His Lucrative Cap Hit and down Play over the past Two Years

When Los Angeles Kings F Dustin Brown was coming off a six-year $3.175 million dollar cap hit in 2014, his new eight-year $5.875 million dollar cap hit seemed very reasonable. After all, he played a significant role in a pair of Stanley Cup Championship wins in 2012 and 2014.

One season later in 2014-15, Brown was earning more than double his salary from the season before ($3.5 million to $7.25 million). His current deal carries an average annual salary (AAV) of $5.875 million dollars with varying salary.

Contract Breakdown for Los Angeles Kings F Dustin Brown:

Signed 8-Yr Contract: $5.875 million dollar/year AAV

Apr 4, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown (23) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown (23) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

2014-15: $7.25 million dollars
2015-16: $7.25 million dollars
2016-17: $7 million dollars
2017-18: $6.5 million dollars
2018-19: $5.5 million dollars
2019-20: $5.5 million dollars
2020-21: $4 million dollars
2021-22: $4 million dollars

There’s only one problem; his play has fallen off the map over the past two seasons.

First thing people might say is, “well he still shows up in the postseason, when it matters”.

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Shouldn’t the goal be a division, maybe even conference title in order to ensure the easiest route possible in the Playoffs (there’s obviously no such thing as an easy route, but they are more favorable match-ups for certain teams).

There’s still hope for Los Angeles Kings F Dustin Brown. After all, he’s only 31-years-old with another six years on his contract. He wouldn’t be the first veteran to have their game fall off for a short period of time before they find their groove again.

Unfortunately in today’s salary cap world with an ever-growing importance being set on entry-level contracts, teams can no longer afford to sit around and wait for players to re-establish themselves.

Dustin Brown is a unique case though. Yes, he’s seen his role diminish over the past couple of seasons as his ice-time dipped, spending time in the bottom six – but, he’s still the undisputed leader of the team, who can draw penalties, and excels on special teams.

The question is, if his mediocre play continues once again into the 2016-17 season, how long will it be before management begins exploring alternative options to relieve themselves of money that could be better spent elsewhere?

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How does the nearly $6 million dollar cap hit affect negotiations to re-sign Milan Lucic, or acquire that missing right-handed defender on the second pairing?

In a salary cap world where every dollar counts, there’s no room for inconsistency regardless of what letter is on the jersey.

Should LA ever decide to explore potential trade scenarios, it’s worth noting that Brown carries a modified no-trade clause in which he must submit a list of seven teams he cannot be traded to.

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