Frolov Signs Five-Year Deal

The Kings made a long-term commitment to their future, signing 23-year-old forward Alexander Frolov to a five-year, $14.5-million contract.

The Kings also announced that they have signed forward Valeri Bure to a one-year deal that is believed to be worth $1.5 million.

Frolov, the Kings’ first-round pick in the 2000 draft, had a team-high 24 goals during the 2003-04 season. The Kings envision his becoming a quality player that they can build a top line around.

Frolov, a restricted free agent, seemed eager to remain with the Kings. He was offered three-year and five-year deals and opted for the longer term.

“We know we got one of our top young players under contract for five years,” General Manager Dave Taylor said. “That was important to us. We wanted to make that commitment to him.”

Taylor said the Kings would benefit from Bure’s speed and his skills on the power play. He scored 22 goals, eight on the power play, for Florida and Dallas in 2003-04.

The Kings have signed all of their significant restricted free agents, as defenseman Joe Corvo accepted his qualifying offer of $668,800. The Kings also signed left wing Jeff Giuliano and right wing George Parros to two-year deals.

Chris Foster

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The Ducks are negotiating with defenseman Ruslan Salei on a multiyear deal, although the 30-year-old veteran is expected to accept his qualifying offer at nearly $1.9 million for one year, Salei’s agent, Todd Diamond, said.

Salei will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, but Diamond said Salei’s preference is to sign a long-term deal to stay with the team with which he has spent his eight-year career.

“They’ve indicated that Ruslan is part of the future of the team,” Diamond said. “We’ve agreed to try and do something. If everything adds up, [re-signing] certainly is a priority.”

The team retains the rights to Salei, as well as centers Stanislav Chistov and Samuel Pahlsson, who have yet to accept their qualifying offers. Players have until Monday before the offers expire.

Restricted free-agent left wings Travis Moen and Chris Kunitz agreed to one-year contracts. Moen is expected to make the league minimum of $450,000, and Kunitz will earn $461,900 if he makes the roster.

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-- Eric Stephens