Kings sign Austin Wagner and Carl Grundstrom to contract extensions
The Kings locked up two restricted free agents Tuesday, signing forwards Austin Wagner and Carl Grundstrom to contract extensions with the start of the offseason almost a month away.
Wagner got a three-year deal worth $1.133 million in annual average value. Grundstrom signed for two years at $725,000.
Of the organization’s nine remaining restricted free agents this offseason, Wagner and Grundstrom were two of the most experienced.
Wagner is entering his third season with the Kings. After recording 12 goals and 21 points in a 62-game rookie campaign in 2018-19, he managed just 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 65 games this year. The former fourth-round pick, however, almost doubled his shot total (67 to 124), increased his average time on ice from 8:56 to 11:45 and consistently used his elite speed to spring breakaways and odd-man rushes.
The NHL playoffs will resume Saturday after players decided not to play for two days in protest of racial injustice.
Grundstrom has played in 28 games over the last two seasons for the Kings, who acquired the former second-round pick in a January 2019 trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first year of his contract is a two-way deal, while the second year is a one-way.
With Wagner and Grundstrom locked up, defenseman Sean Walker is the team’s only other restricted free agent who was a full-time NHL player last season. Matt Luff and Sheldon Rempal are all RFAs with previous NHL experience.
The also team has three unrestricted free agents: forward Trevor Lewis and defensemen Ben Hutton and Joakim Ryan.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the start of NHL free agency this offseason was pushed back to October.
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