Quote:
LA KINGS BUSY ON JULY 1
TSN -- Los Angeles Kings called a press conference today, and opened up with the announcement that winger Viktor Stalberg did not accept the team's contract offer, and went to the open market as a UFA at midnight on July 1.
After being tight-lipped about their plans on Canada Day, the Kings GM then cracked a smile and revealed that the Los Angeles Kings signed both LW Milan Lucic and C Ryan Getzlaf to long term contracts.
Financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed, but sources have revealed to TSN that Lucic was signed to a 6 year contract worth $7.25M per season. Ryan Getzlaf was reportedly signed to a 5 year contract worth $8.5M per season.
Aside from Taylor Pyatt, Stalberg was the only player offered a contract by the Kings who decided to test the UFA market. The team re-signed forwards T.J. Galiardi and Patrik Berglund to new 2 and 3 year deals respectively, and starting goaltender Michal Neuvirth was signed to a 5 year contract.
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Yes, I know I overpaid. I didn't have much of a choice though. There were more than several teams interested in young superstar players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. I also lost Viktor Stalberg, as the greedy SOB didn't accept my offer, even though I was offering more than what he asked for.
Last year, I was looking to add another top six forward regardless, and losing one more was going to be way too much. I did not spend ALL the way to the cap, but I am relatively close. I actually wanted to get Getzlaf and Perry to play with Bobby Ryan, but I couldn't afford to sign both of them, and Lucic still has potential whereas Perry is maxed out.
The situation in front of me basically forced my hand. My team's on-ice performance last year was dismal, I had no 1st round pick this draft (had three 2nd round picks however), I was literally
below the cap floor, and the players I needed were available. Aside from Stalberg, every player I wanted to sign or re-sign accepted the offer.
So yeah, there's my explanation for going out and signing two of the biggest fishes on the market. And now, my team is set for the upcoming season, from top to bottom.