The Los Angeles Kings have decided that Oscar Fantenberg has done enough to remain with the organization for another year, announcing a one-year extension today. The deal carries a $650K cap hit at the NHL level, though it’s not clear yet if it is a two-way contract. Fantenberg was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer after his one-year entry-level contract expired.
Fantenberg surprised many by making the Kings out of camp last season, and though he played just 27 games in the NHL during the regular season, was called upon in the postseason for the club. The 26-year old two-way defenseman looks like he’ll be an able contributor for the Kings next season, and comes in at an just the league minimum in salary. Though Los Angeles has several options on defense, adding Fantenberg on such a reasonable contract only strengthens their depth.
The fact that the deal is only for one year will make Fantenberg an unrestricted free agent in 2019, at which point he could go after a multi-year contract that comes with a full-time role. That would need some playing time this season, which he’ll hope for behind other left-handed options like Dion Phaneuf, Derek Forbort and Jake Muzzin. Los Angeles has long been rumored to be considering moving one of their more expensive defensemen, and after acquiring Phaneuf from the Ottawa Senators last season there might not be room for everyone.
Sell Muzzin at his high for a scoring winger.
Kings are going to lose Doughty to free agency next year so why move a d-man?
No chance of that. They will trade him if they really have to