The three most expensive contract on the Los Angeles Kings in 2022
By Jim Lynch
The Los Angeles Kings made it into the playoffs for the first time in a few years last season. As they turned around their rebuild, success came on the ice, and now the organization is ready to take another step this upcoming season.
The 2022-23 Kings are set to be one of the top teams in the Pacific Division. The group is bringing back a similar crew minus a few big additions like adding Kevin Fiala this offseason. Plus the young roster players are all ready to take another step forward including stars like Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore.
This team is destined for success in 2022-23, but one of the questions on many fans’ minds has to be who are the highest-paid players on this team? Well, let’s go over that today.
Drew Doughty – 11 Million
Drew Doughty will be paid 11 million for the next five seasons. His current contract ends at the end of the 2026-27 season, which means the Kings will have him on the roster for a long time.
Doughty played in 39 games this past season putting up 31 points during that time. Despite missing half of the season he still led defensemen in points and averaged over 25 minutes of ice time a night. The 32-year-old might not be as young as he used to be, but this team is still lucky to have him on the roster.
It will be interesting to see how Doughty bounces back this season after his season ended in March due to a wrist injury.
Anze Kopitar – 10 million
The next highest-paid player is Kings captain Anze Kopitar. Kopitar led the team in points last season putting up 67 points in 81 games for the Kings. He added a goal and three assists in seven playoff games during the Kings’ round one defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
Kopitar is signed for the next two seasons with his contract ending after the 2023-24 NHL season. I am sure Kopitar will be a King for life, but it will be interesting to see what happens when his current deal comes to a conclusion.
Kevin Fiala – 7.875 million
Kevin Fiala is the new player on the list of the highest three contracts for the Kings. The Kings traded for Fiala this past offseason and immediately signed him to a seven-year extension running through the 2028-29 season.
Fiala is the third highest-paid player on this team, a designation he earned during his time with the Minnesota Wild. Fiala had a career-high 85 points in 82 games this past season, but even before that, he has been close to being a point-per-game player, if not just below being that type of player the past few seasons.
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The Kings are lucky to have Fiala on their roster and will have the 26-year-old for a long time. Luckily Kings fans will not have to wait too long to see Fiala in action this upcoming season as the preseason opens on September 25 against the San Jose Sharks.