The Kings have agreed to terms on contracts with two of their pending free agents, announcing the re-signings of Matt Villalta and defenseman Frederic Allard to one-year, two-way deals. Villalta will carry an NHL AAV of $787,500 while Allard’s will be $750K. PuckPedia adds (Twitter links) that Villalta’s AHL salary will be $70K and Allard’s will be $115K.
Villalta was a third-round pick of Los Angeles back in 2017 (72nd overall) and has spent his first three professional years exclusively in the minors although he had his first official recall back in the playoffs as one of their Black Aces. This past season, the 23-year-old played in 46 games with AHL Ontario, compiling a 2.98 GAA along with a .903 SV%. The Kings now have three young netminders that will be battling for playing time with the Reign next season as Villalta will join Jacob Ingham and David Hrenak who will play his first professional season in 2022-23.
As for Allard, he was acquired from Nashville at the trade deadline and immediately reported to Ontario. The change of scenery made a considerable difference as after putting up just five points in 36 games with Milwaukee, the 24-year-old picked up ten points in 15 games with the Reign and chipped in three more in five playoff contests, helping to secure himself another NHL contract. Allard has one career NHL appearance under his belt back in March of 2021.