The Los Angeles Kings have spent huge amounts of cash over the holiday period. Not on chistmas presents – but on signing bonii and improved contracts. 3 impending unrestricted free agents to be have agreed to extend their stay in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
Sergei Gonchar will become a wealthy man and one of the best paid d-men in the OTHL. He has signed a 4 year extension. Jason Blake has signed a 3 year extension to his existing deal while late-blooming defenceman Brian Pothier added 2 years to his contract. The Kings also signed defenceman Peter Harrold to an entry-level contract.
GM Siemsen – Gonchar is a world class talent on the blue line. We’re happy that he’s agreed to be our go-to guy on the blue line. Jason Blake will take his well earned contract and the Captains ‘C’ with immediate effect while Pothier is a solid 2-way d-man who is blossoming into a very good d-man who can play big minutes. Sergei Gonchar will carry an ‘A’ for the rest of the season.
I’m sure all 3 could get a lot more on the open market at the end of the season so we’re happy that they’re staying. These were guys we were willing to spend big bucks on – unlike some of the players we gave up to get them. Maybe this will spell the end of the trade offers we’ve received for some of these guys consisting of 4th round picks and farm players. Spending big cash on this trio will not prevent us from being a big factor on the UFA market in the off-season. Our payroll will still be near the minimum come July.