Ben Shelley: Can Adrian Kempe repeat his success next season?

There is no reason why Kempe can't score 30+ again. His NHL average shooting % is around 11.4% so even if he takes the same amount of shots and comes back to his average he would pot around 30 goals. But if you think about his % in earlier years he was playing all up and down the line up without prime 1st line or 1st PP opportunities. This year his was put in a big time role and his shooting % went up. I would contend it should. I expect him to continue.

If you mean come close to 35 goals again, no, I doubt it. If he takes the same number of shots but returns to last season's shooting %, he'll put up 27 goals. If you're a little generous and give him 27 assists, then that's 54 points, which is the same as he had this year. So, repeating his point total is quite doable, but I expect fewer goals.

What worries me is that Blake is going to pay him like a 35-goal scorer long term and we're going to be unhappy with the contract and disappointed in the player for the length of it.

Also, I don't agree that he was strong defensively. His stats were very average (-2, 0.2% SAT Rel, -0.7% USAT Rel) and he took the most minor penalties on the team (22).

If you mean come close to 35 goals again, no, I doubt it. If he takes the same number of shots but returns to last season's shooting %, he'll put up 27 goals. If you're a little generous and give him 27 assists, then that's 54 points, which is the same as he had this year. So, repeating his point total quite doable, but I expect fewer goals.

What worries me is that Blake is going to pay him like a 35-goal scorer long term and we're going to be unhappy with the contract and disappointed in the player for the length of it.

Also, I don't agree that he was strong defensively. His stats were very average (-2, 0.2% SAT Rel, -0.7% USAT Rel) and he took the most minor penalties on the team (22).
- Osprey

I'm hoping Blake learned from William Karlsson in Vegas. Had a huge 40 goals season in 17-18 and was never able to come close again. I'm thinking they will try to lock him up at $5.5M

I'm hoping Blake learned from William Karlsson in Vegas. Had a huge 40 goals season in 17-18 and was never able to come close again. I'm thinking they will try to lock him up at $5.5M
- KingsFan67

Agreed. I was thinking of Karlsson, as well, and think that any more than $5.5M would be a big mistake. Another player to consider is Iafallo, who had a career year, got a multi-year deal and then took a step back this year.

Iafallo put up 30pts in 55gms or 0.55pts/gm or 45pts/82gms in 20-21. He got $4M x 4 or $89K/pt a few months later.

Kempe put up 54pts in 78gms or 0.69pts/gm or 57pts/82gms. At the same $89K/pt, that equals $5.04M, so a multi-year contract between $5-5.5M per year is what I imagine that Blake will be offering.

Agreed. I was thinking of Karlsson, as well, and think that any more than $5.5M would be a big mistake. Another player to consider is Iafallo, who had a career year, got a multi-year deal and then took a step back this year.

Iafallo put up 30pts in 55gms or 0.55pts/gm or 45pts/82gms in 20-21. He got $4M x 4 or $89K/pt a few months later.

Kempe put up 54pts in 78gms or 0.69pts/gm or 57pts/82gms. At the same $89K/pt, that equals $5.04M, so a multi-year contract between $5-5.5M per year is what I imagine that Blake will be offering.
- Osprey

Kempe was a big reason why the kings made the playoffs. His back checking and speed to recover from defense was elite. I do think he will get to 30+ or maybe 40+ goals next season. If you look at his prolong development, each year the guy improves. Also the guy isn't even close to the peak of his prime. Its matter to make sure we keep him with the right line mates that can balance his skills.

For Iafallo, i was never a fan of his extension and the level of responsibility he had for the team. It blows my mind they tried to put him in a top 6 role. The guy is a 4th line and maybe a 3rd line player. I can see Blake trade him and a 1st this years draft for an immediate player to fill.