Facing what could have been a major loss next summer, the Kings re-signed captain Dustin Brown on a eight-year deal, the maximum length allowed by the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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The Kings, just 13 months removed from winning the Stanley Cup, now have their top players Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Slava Voynov, Jonathan Quick and Brown tied up in deals that are five seasons or longer. Anze Kopitar has three seasons left on his deal.
The eight years is the maximum contract length allowed under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Brown, 28, is scheduled to make $3.1 million in 2013-14. He would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer; if the Kings hadn't re-signed him. He had 18 goals and 11 assists last season.
He has been the team's captain since Oct. 8, 2008.
1. Winger Pascal Dupuis (Pittsburgh Penguins): He has impressive speed and a big shot. He’s a scorer with a role player’s mentality. Where he went: Re-signed with Pittsburgh for $15 million over four years.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
2. Right wing Nathan Horton (Boston Bruins): Horton has increased his value with a strong playoff performance.He was plus 20, the highest playoff plus-minus rating since Brian Leetch was plus 19 in 1994. Horton is 6-2, 230 pounds, and his size adds to his attractiveness. He will need offseason shoulder surgery. Where he went: Signed with Columbus Blue Jackets for $37.1 million over seven years.
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3. Right wing Jarome Iginla (Pittsburgh): He will be the biggest name, and he has demonstrated during the playoffs that he can still be a top-line performer on a championship-caliber team. Since joining the Penguins late in the season, Iginla, 35, essentially has been a point-per-game forward. He plays with fire in his belly. Where he went: Signed with Boston Bruins for one-year at $1.8 million with another $4.2 million in attainable bonuses.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
4. Center Vinny Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning): The Lightning didn't believe Lecavalier was worth the salary cap hit of more than $7 million, but he is still a highly productive center. At 34, Lecavalier is still good for 60 points.Where he went: Signed with Philadelphia Flyers for five years, $22.5 million
James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports
5. Left wing Bryan Bickell (Chicago Blackhawks): Chicago coach Joel Quenneville’s decision to use Bickell on a scoring line has greatly enhanced his free agent value. What’s not to like? He’s 6-4, 223, and he’s 27. He had nine playoff goals, including the tying goal in Chicago's clincher. Where he went: Re-signed with Blackhawks for $16 million over four years.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY Sports
6. Center Stephen Weiss (Florida Panthers): He was limited to 17 games this season because of a wrist injury, but every team understands Weiss’ value. He’s an 11-year NHL player who should score 20 goals and register 50 to 60 points a season. Where he went: Signed with Detroit Red Wings for $24.5 million over five years
Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports
7. Left wing David Clarkson (New Jersey Devils): With 45 goals and 216 penalty minutes in his past 128 NHL games, Clarkson, 29, has established his credentials as one of the league’s most productive power forwards. Where he went: Toronto Maple Leafs for $36.75 million over five years
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports
8. Center Valtteri Filppula (Detroit Red Wings): He has had one noteworthy statistical season, when he had 23 goals and 66 points in 2011-12. But there is a league-wide romance with his skill set, especially with a shortage of centers with offensive potential. Where he went: Signed with Tampa Bay Lightning for $25 million over five years
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports
9. Center Derek Roy (Vancouver Canucks): He's 30 and three seasons removed from being a 70-point center. He remains an attractive option for a team looking for a No. 2 center. He is better suited as that than as a No. 1 center. When he went: Signed with St. Louis Blues for one year.
Anne-Marie Sorvin, USA TODAY Sports
10. Right wing Danny Briere (Philadelphia Flyers): Word is that more than 12 teams are interested in Briere, who was bought out. He has a good history as a playoff performer. Where he went: Signed with Montreal Canadiens for $8 million over two years.
Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports
11. Center Mike Ribeiro (Washington Capitals): Teams like his ability to put up offensive numbers, but he made $5 million last season, and most teams will have difficulty fitting a big number into their salary cap. He will be paid well next season, but the question he might have to answer is whether he will leave money on the table to play for a better team. Where he went: Phoenix Coyotes for $22 million over four years.
Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports
12. Left wing Ryane Clowe (New York Rangers): After struggling in San Jose all season, he registered eight points
in 12 games in New York. That didn’t go unnoticed by teams in need of
additional size and bite in their lineup. Clowe is 6-2, 225 and he’s now played
more than 500 NHL games in the regular season and playoffs. Where he went: Signed with New Jersey Devils for $24.25 million over five years.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
13. Left wing Viktor Stalberg (Chicago): He was a 22-goal scorer in 2011-12, and he registered 23 points in 47 games this season. Stalberg is 6-3, and he can skate. He frequently looks dangerous when he’s on the ice, though he was a healthy scratch four times during the playoffs. He could be a sleeper signing for a team looking for offense. Where he went: Signed with Nashville Predators for $12 million over four years.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY Sports
14. Right wing Jaromir Jagr (Boston Bruins): Although he didn't score in the postseason, he had a high-quality regular season, with 35 points in 45 games between the Dallas Stars and Bruins. A handful of teams are interested in acquiring him.
Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports
15. Brenden Morrow: Although he is not the scorer he once was, Morrow is a gritty
performer and a high-character player. He's a natural leader. His desirability will depend heavily on his asking price.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
16. Defenseman Ron Hainsey (Winnipeg Jets): He's a smart dependable defenseman who knows what needs to be done to be successful. He's a perfect for a team looking to improve their depth by adding a veteran.
Bruce Fedyck, USA TODAY Sports
17. Left wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Minnesota Wild): He might be Plan B player for teams seeking offensive help and lacking the money for a higher-priced performer. A general manager probably could convince himself that Bouchard, 29, could be a 50-point guy again if he were on the right team and playing with the right players. Where he went: New York Islander for one year, $2 million
Ed Szczepanski, USA TODAY Sports
18. Right wing Michael Ryder (Montreal Canadiens): Every team is looking for goals, and he scores them regularly, close to one goal every three games. That’s a good scoring rate for a player who probably will be available for a reasonable salary. Where he went: Signed with New Jersey Devils for $7 million over two years.
Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports
19. Defenseman Ryan Whitney (Edmonton Oilers): Counting the regular season and playoffs, Whitney, right, has more than 500 games of NHL experience. He has size and some offensive ability.
Anne-Marie Sorvin, USA TODAY Sports
20. Defenseman Andrew Ference (Boston Bruins): The Bruins simply didn't have any real room to re-sign Ference, who is a smart veteran defenseman. Where he went: Signed with Edmonton Oilers for $13 million over four years.
Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
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