Kings defenseman prospect Angus Booth signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team on Friday, per a team release. The deal carries an average annual value of $852.5K.
Los Angeles selected Booth in the fourth round of the 2022 draft with the 116th overall pick. The 19-year-old Montréaler is in his fourth season of junior play with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes.
The 6-foot, 176-pound left-shot defender grades out as a third-pairing threat who’s adept in transition. Unfortunately, his point production has stagnated since his draft year. He churned out 22 assists and one goal in 42 games with the Cataractes in 2021-22 but followed that up with 19 total points in 62 games the following season with a -7 rating.
His play this season has returned to the level he displayed during his draft year, but he hasn’t gotten much further in either his offensive or defensive stats. That’s why it’s a tad surprising to see the Kings extend an entry-level contract to Booth with six months remaining before he would re-enter the draft if not signed.
Since Booth will play less than ten NHL games this season, the beginning of his deal will slide to the 2024-25 campaign. He will be a restricted free agent upon the expiration of his ELC in 2027.