Primarily based on Hoven’s report, Spence’s deal will carry a $1.5M cap hit this season and subsequent. The Kings had $2.91M in projected cap house for 2024-25 previous to the signing, per PuckPedia.
Spence, 23, turned a full-time fixture on the Kings’ blue line this season after enjoying many of the prior two seasons with their AHL affiliate in Ontario. He did so within the third and remaining season of his entry-level contract, making him an RFA at season’s finish. He wasn’t eligible to file for arbitration this summer season.
The 2019 fourth-round decide has been a revelation offensively since turning professional. Whereas undersized at 5-foot-10 and 181 kilos, he’s among the best puck-handling defenders within the group and put up 87 factors in 103 AHL video games over the previous few years, spectacular manufacturing for an early-20s expertise. The best-shot defenseman smashed his earlier career-high of 24 NHL appearances final season and suited up 71 occasions, ending third amongst Kings blue-liners in scoring with 24 factors (two objectives, 22 assists). He did so in third-pairing minutes with solely fringe power-play time, averaging 14:26 per recreation.
The Manly, Australia, native will seemingly be relied upon for extra minutes subsequent season after Matt Roy departed for the Capitals in free company. He, together with 2021 eighth-overall decide Brandt Clarke, will seemingly have a coaching camp battle for a spot on the crew’s second pairing alongside Vladislav Gavrikov.
With Spence signed at $1.5M per season, the Kings are cap-compliant with a full 23-player roster, PuckPedia exhibits. Their solely remaining RFA is winger Arthur Kaliyev, however he’s not anticipated to signal a brand new contract with the membership and nonetheless has an lively commerce request. L.A. may have $1.41M in cap house on opening night time if their roster shakes out as projected.
