Armstrong at ease with his new deal

There is more than money that comes with a contract extension this time of year. There is also peace of mind, at least for now.

Kings center Derek Armstrong’s name was bandied about more than a little recently by those firing off trade rumors. That came to an end Wednesday when the Kings gave Armstrong a two-year extension that will pay him $1.4 million next season and $1.6 million in 2008-09.

“I think it was worrying my wife and kids more than it was worrying me,” said Armstrong, who has two sons. “I’ve been around a while and I know that this is a business.”

Still, Armstrong added, “It’s nice that we know where we’ll be next year and what school the kids will be attending.”

The Kings get security as well. Armstrong, 33, has proven to be a capable offensive center who is also a solid defensive player. He has nine goals and 39 points this season and leads the team with a plus-16 rating.

“He really contains guys, that’s something that doesn’t always get noticed,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “You really have to work hard to get a scoring chance off Derek. This has become so much a containment league and he does that and he does that well.”

Offensively, Armstrong has been an extremely effective set-up man, who has recently played extensively on a line with Alexander Frolov and Michael Cammalleri, the team’s top two scorers. Those three have eight goals and 13 assists in the last five games.

“Offensively, he is strong on the puck and he gets his chances,” Crawford said.

That made Armstrong worth keeping around.

“I don’t think about those things,” Armstrong said of the contract extension. “Right now it’s just a piece of paper. I’m just playing and trying to get better.”

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Armstrong’s extension means the Kings have committed around $30 million for next season to 14 players on their roster.

That does not include contracts signed by Jonathan Bernier and Trevor Lewis, who are playing junior hockey this season. Those contracts go into effect when they turn pro.

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Forward Scott Thornton, out seven weeks with a broken left wrist, revealed Thursday that he had surgery to place two pins in the wrist two weeks ago.

chris.foster@latimes.com