[Signing] Kings re-sign Kempe (8 yrs, $10.625mil AAV)

[Ped]

Is he a second liner? Right now he's 9th in NHL RW in scoring. Last year he was 8th.

[Calgary4LIfe]

It won't be long at all before Huberdeau's deal gets stopped being talked about as the worst in the NHL.


I like Kempe, but I don't like him that much, especially considering his age. Underrated player in many respects, but that's still a big contract for him. it is fine in the next few years, but I also echo the sentiment that this is probably going to be an ugly one after that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

It won't be long at all before Huberdeau's deal gets stopped being talked about as the worst in the NHL.


I like Kempe, but I don't like him that much, especially considering his age. Underrated player in many respects, but that's still a big contract for him. it is fine in the next few years, but I also echo the sentiment that this is probably going to be an ugly one after that.

I think GMs generally understand that long term contracts are not going to be in the money at the end. I also think players have to build in buyout risk.

[Mitch]

I'd way rather have Kempe than Huberdeau. Calling him a 2nd liner.... lmao.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ped

Is he a second liner? Right now he's 9th in NHL RW in scoring. Last year he was 8th.

I think he's 1st line in regards to goal production but not a great playmaker so when his goal production dips as he ages there's not as much to work with compared to a more rounded skill player.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I'd way rather have Kempe than Huberdeau. Calling him a 2nd liner.... lmao.

Each signed at 29, with the contract running from 30-37 (age)

Kempe......: 649 G, 200 G, 220 A, 420 P, .65 PPG
Huberdeau: 750 G, 213 G, 455 A, 668 P, .89 PPG

(career stats at time of signing)

lmao, indeed

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I'd way rather have Kempe than Huberdeau. Calling him a 2nd liner.... lmao.

Would you rather have Kempe or Florida Huberdeau before he disappeared?

The same people who say Calgary signed the "dumbest contract ever" and sealed the fate of Calgary for decades to come by giving Huberdeau 10.5 after coming off of a 115 point season amassing the most assists in history are now trying to say giving Kempe 10.6 with a career high 75 points is "amazing" and he's clearly so much better....

Too funny.

Huberdeau had put up MULTIPLE seasons over 75 pts before getting his big payout, including that year where he was tied for #2 in league scoring with big Johnny (The year he got PAID.. interseting hey?)

Calgary signed him following that season, he regressed and everyone slams Calgary for signing him to that contract and how stupid it was.
But "the Kempe Contract is so good, he's elite" - His highest ranking was 36th over all in the NHL in 2023/24.

Really shows you how bias some takes can become.
I'm not saying he's not better than Huberdeau now, or comparing the 2 players at all.
His overall production would indicate he's a fantastic 2nd line forward who could be elevated to the 1st line when playing well (on a good team)

This contract is a bit rich imo.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Each signed at 29, with the contract running from 30-37 (age)

Kempe......: 649 G, 200 G, 220 A, 420 P, .65 PPG
Huberdeau: 750 G, 213 G, 455 A, 668 P, .89 PPG

(career stats at time of signing)

lmao, indeed

Kempe has gotten better with age, so this doesn't really mean much.

Kempe also provides a lot more than points (or secondary assists, in Huberdeau's case).

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Would you rather have Kempe or Florida Huberdeau before he disappeared?

The same people who say Calgary signed the "dumbest contract ever" and sealed the fate of Calgary for decades to come by giving Huberdeau 10.5 after coming off of a 115 point season amassing the most assists in history are now trying to say giving Kempe 10.6 with a career high 75 points is "amazing" and he's clearly so much better....

Too funny.

Huberdeau had put up MULTIPLE seasons over 75 pts before getting his big payout, including that year where he was tied for #2 in league scoring with big Johnny (The year he got PAID.. interseting hey?)

Calgary signed him following that season, he regressed and everyone slams Calgary for signing him to that contract and how stupid it was.
But "the Kempe Contract is so good, he's elite" - His highest ranking was 36th over all in the NHL in 2023/24.

Really shows you how bias some takes can become.
I'm not saying he's not better than Huberdeau now, or comparing the 2 players at all.
His overall production would indicate he's a fantastic 2nd line forward who could be elevated to the 1st line when playing well (on a good team)

This contract is a bit rich imo.

It seems you put a lot of weight on point totals without considering context/playstyle. Kempe is a first line forward and it's not even debateable dude. If you think he's a second line forward I urge you to watch a Kings game.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Kempe has gotten better with age, so this doesn't really mean much.

Kempe also provides a lot more than points (or secondary assists, in Huberdeau's case).

So we're just dismissing Huberdeau's pts as secondary assists - okay then.

As for Kempe's production, goals tend to decline sooner than assists - hoping he will be able to put up about 30 per year (to justify $10M) is a big ask through his 30s, IMO. We shall see of course.

[Cole436]

Great deal for Kempe. Absolute gamer.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Kempe has gotten better with age, so this doesn't really mean much.

Kempe also provides a lot more than points (or secondary assists, in Huberdeau's case).

When he was signed, Huberdeau had also gotten better with age (his previous 4 season were better than the 5 before and his most recent season was a record setter for a LW).

Today, yes, 29 year old Kempe provides more points (playing with Kopitar) than 32 year old Huberdeau (with Frost).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

So we're just dismissing Huberdeau's pts as secondary assists - okay then.

As for Kempe's production, goals tend to decline sooner than assists - hoping he will be able to put up about 30 per year (to justify $10M) is a big ask through his 30s, IMO. We shall see of course.

Huberdeau always gets more primary than secondary assists:

https://moneypuck.com/player.htm?p=8476456

[Enoch Root]

my comment was sarcasm, BTW

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Huberdeau always gets more primary than secondary assists:

https://moneypuck.com/player.htm?p=8476456

My comment wasn't that all of his points are secondary assists, just enough to skew his stats. His 115 point season he had 32 secondary assists... more than any other forward in the NHL that year. He also played on a historic offensive Florida Panthers team.. I believe they set records for goals scored?

Anyways, my point wasn't that Huberdeau is a bad player, just that Kempe is being underrated in comparison when ppl say "wow thats Huberdeau dollars" and that he's a 2nd liner. Kempe is fast, plays physical, shoots a ton and drives the offense of that Kings team. Oh and he has 23 points over his last 17 playoffs games played... when the games actually matter.

[Sylvanfan]

The Florida teams the Huberdeau played for were alot more offensive than the Kings teams that Kempe plays on. If Huberdeau had produced Kempe's scoring the past three seasons, I think he would be viewed in a better light.

I think the better comparison is would you be satisfied with Huberdeau the past 3 years if he had produced like he did last year in all of those seasons.

Hence why I think it's okay to start...but it's going to be an expensive deal in time that's an anchor.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Not sure if there's another team in the league with a worse long-term outlook than the Kings

Byfield looks like a legit potential star still. They whiffed on Turcott and Clarke though, and Valardi trade was a disaster.

[CliffFletcher]

Kempe is a #1 RW all day long, and the best player on the King’s roster. He just turned 29, and he’s a burner who shouldn’t slow down much in the next few years.

Kings fans are super happy about the deal. Unless they’re rebuilding (and the Kings aren’t) teams don’t let guys like this walk away.

[Royle9]

Agree to disagree.

How many points does Kempe get on the Flames with this system and skill set.
He’s good, he’s not great.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Kempe is a #1 RW all day long, and the best player on the King’s roster. He just turned 29, and he’s a burner who shouldn’t slow down much in the next few years.

Kings fans are super happy about the deal. Unless they’re rebuilding (and the Kings aren’t) teams don’t let guys like this walk away.

Plus $10 million is the new $7 million. If Kempe had signed at $7 million 3 years ago, everyone would think that's fair. There's just sticker shock as we all get used to the new salary inflation.