Tag Archives: Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic’s agent says there have been no new talks with the Kings about a contract extension

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Milan Lucic’s agent told a Vancouver, British Columbia, radio station Monday there have been no talks with the Kings about a contract extension for the veteran left wing and he is preparing for free agency July 1. Lucic can become an unrestricted free agent if the Kings fail to sign him to a new deal before July 1.

“Milan Lucic would love to re-sign with the Kings, but is preparing for July 1,” agent Gerry Johansson told NEWS 1130 in Vancouver on Monday.

Lucic, a Vancouver native, was acquired by the Kings last June 26 in exchange for goaltender Martin Jones, defenseman Colin Miller and the 13th pick in the 2015 draft. Lucic had 20 goals and 55 points in 81 games for the Kings, who bowed out in the first round of the playoffs to Jones and the San Jose Sharks.

The Bruins flipped Jones to the Sharks after acquiring him from the Kings.

Lucic said at season’s end, “I really enjoy being an LA King and everything it has to offer. Hopefully, it can get done here in the near, near future. Just a little bit more work to do to bridge a gap here (and agree on an extension).

“It’s definitely something I want moving forward. I think it’s something they want too. Hopefully, we can make it work out. The sooner the better. To be honest, I don’t have much interest in hitting the open market or even hearing what’s out there because, in my mind, this is where I want to be.

“Why flirt with something when you know what you want? That’s the case for me moving forward.”

The Kings have salary-cap issues and there have been reports recently that the NHL could lower the cap for next season below $70 million, which could further complicate negotiations with Lucic. He made $6.5 million for 2015-16, the final year in a three-season, $18-million deal he signed with Boston in 2013.

LA Kings’ list of free agents (restricted and unrestricted)

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Free agency doesn’t begin until July 1, but the Kings (and every other NHL team) can give their own players contract extensions at any point between now and then. They’ve already done it with one unrestricted free agent, agreeing to terms with coach Darryl Sutter on a new deal that will kick in when his old one expires July 1.

Here are the Kings’ unrestricted free agents (eligible to sign with any team without the Kings able to match the offer), per generalfanager.com:

Forwards Milan Lucic, Kris Versteeg and Trevor Lewis.

Defensemen Jamie McBain and Luke Schenn.

Goalie Jhonas Enroth.

Here are the Kings’ restricted free agents (the Kings have the right to match offers from other teams):

Forward: Nic Dowd.

Defenseman:Brayden McNabb.

 

Kings exit interviews: Milan Lucic

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Kings left wing Milan Lucic talked Sunday about contract talks and how much he’d like to get them done before free agency begins July 1. Here’s more from him about re-signing and remaining with the Kings:

“There have been some talks before the playoffs started. There’s two months until July, so hopefully something can get done here, so I can remain a King moving forward into the future. That’s something I’ve expressed that I really want to have happen. I really enjoy being an LA King and everything it has to offer. Hopefully, it can get done here in the near, near future. Just a little bit more work to do to bridge a gap here.

“It’s definitely something I want moving forward. I think it’s something they want too. Hopefully, we can make it work out. The sooner the better. To be honest, I don’t have much interest in hitting the open market or even hearing what’s out there because, in my mind, this is where I want to be. Why flirt with something when you know what you want? That’s the case for me moving forward.”

Game 5 report: Sharks 6, Kings 3

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Key play: Joonas Donskoi scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period and the San Jose Sharks went on to take a 6-3 victory Friday over the Kings in the decisive Game 5 of the first-round series at Staples Center. Donskoi chipped the puck into the net after a nifty pass from Brent Burns.

The series: The Sharks eliminated the Kings 4-1 and advanced to the second round.

Pivotal performer: Sharks winger Joe Pavelski added an insurance goal for his series-leading fifth of the series. Pavelski and linemates Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl proved to be too much for the Kings to handle during the series, and were the difference makers over the course of five games.

Quote, unquote: “The bottom line is we didn’t play well enough to win the series, and they did,” Kings center Anze Kopitar said. “It showed on the scoreboard. We were chasing the lead pretty much every game. That’s just not the way you play in the playoffs. We made it hard on ourselves, first of all, to lose the first two games in this building. I just feel our game was not where we needed it to be.”

Quote, unquote (part 2): “Yes, 100 percent,” Kings left wing Milan Lucic said when asked if he planned to re-sign with the Kings rather than test the open market as an unrestricted free agent July 1. “I don’t have any plans about thinking about or playing anywhere else. I’m sure there will be a lot of conversations in the near future and I hope it works out for both sides.”

Between the pipes: Jonathan Quick made 22 saves and fell 1-4 during the series. Martin Jones, who served as Quick’s backup until the Kings traded him last summer, made 19 saves to improve to 4-1 in his first five starts in the playoffs after making two relief appearances in 2014 against the Sharks.

Game 2 report: Sharks 2, Kings 1

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Key play: Logan Couture’s power-play goal proved to be the difference for the San Jose Sharks in a 2-1 victory Saturday over the Kings in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Staples Center. Couture’s second-period putback of Joe Pavelski’s initial try propelled the Sharks to a 2-0 series lead.

Pivotal performer: Pavelski gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead only 3:37 in the game, his third goal in two contests in the best-of-7 series. He also assisted on Couture’s game-winning goal to give him a series-leading four points. He had three shots on goal and won seven of eight faceoffs.

Quote, unquote: “We’ve got to do a better job of getting traffic and getting guys to the net, fighting through box-outs and getting those second- and third-chance opportunities,” Kings left wing Lucic said. “Right now, we’re not doing a good enough job of it. We need to figure it out quick if we want to turn things around. We’ve got to stop playing with frustration and start playing with determination.”

Welcome back: Right wing Marian Gaborik returned to the Kings’ lineup for the first time since spraining his right knee Feb. 12. He was scoreless on four shots on goal in 14:32, playing with a variety of linemates as Kings coach Darryl Sutter mixed and matched his combinations.

Injury update: Kings defenseman Alec Martinez did not play after he was forced from Game 1 after two periods because of an undisclosed injury. Martinez sat out the final four regular-season games because an unspecified injury. His status for Game 3 is unknown. Jamie McBain took Martinez’s spot in the lineup.

Game report: Jets 4, Kings 3 (shootout)

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Key play: Mark Scheifele scored the only goal in a shootout and the Winnipeg Jets rallied for a 4-3 victory Saturday over the Kings at Staples Center. Scheifele fired a shot past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick in the second round.

Pivotal performer: Left wing Milan Lucic set up Kings teammate Tanner Pearson’s first-period goal with an alert cross-ice pass from along the left wing boards. Lucic’s assist was his 35th of the season, tying his career high. He had 35 while with the Boston Bruins in 2013-14 and 2011-12.

Quote, unquote: “We’re going to have to change our attitude before the playoffs start or else we’re not going to last long,” defenseman Jake Muzzin said after the Kings squandered a three-goal lead. “Everyone’s got to buy in. Everyone’s got to dig down and do their job.”

Between the pipes: Quick made his 68th appearance of the season and looked to extend his franchise record for victories to 41. He made 28 saves in regulation plus overtime. Ondrej Pavelec played for the 33rd time for the Jets, who failed to qualify for the playoffs. He made 26 saves plus three more in the shootout.

Injury updates: Kings defenseman Alec Martinez sat out for the fourth game because of an injury the team has declined to disclose. Winger Marian Gaborik (knee) and defenseman Matt Greene (shoulder) skated with their teammates for at least part of their morning skate.

LA Kings left wing Milan Lucic’s quote of the night

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Here’s what Kings left wing Milan Lucic said of his spinning assist on Jeff Carter’s second goal in the second period Thursday: “Great play by (defenseman Brayden McNabb to pass the puck ahead). I kind of had the back-checker on me. Once he had his stick on me, I knew I couldn’t get a shot, so I kind of did a little spin-a-rama move and it ended up working out. Sometimes you’ve got to be lucky to be good. Just glad it worked out because, you know, when it doesn’t work out, you look foolish. It’s great when it works out.”

Kings-Sharks preview

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KINGS AT SHARKS

Faceoff: 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: NBCSN / 790-AM

Update: The Kings (45-25-5) ended a three-game losing streak and edged closer to their first division championship since 1991 with a 6-4 victory Saturday over the last-place Edmonton Oilers. It wasn’t as crisp and clean as left wing Milan Lucic would have liked. He said the Kings must clean up their act defensively if they hope to play at their peak level to start the playoffs. The Kings have given up 175 goals, the second-fewest in the NHL. Lucic tied a career high with three assists Saturday. He has 49 points, including 32 assists, in his first season with the Kings after a trade from the Boston Bruins. Jeff Carter scored twice against the Oilers, giving him 20 for the ninth consecutive season and the 10th in the past 11. The third-place Sharks are 41-28-6, but only 18-18-3 at home. Their latest defeat was a 4-2 loss Saturday to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Kings.

Game report: Kings 6, Oilers 4

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Key play: Tyler Toffoli’s tiebreaking goal early in the second period propelled the Kings to a 6-4 victory Saturday over the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center. Toffoli raced down the right wing and broke a 2-all tie with his second goal of the game and his team-leading 29th of the season.

Pivotal performer: Kings left wing Milan Lucic assisted on the Kings’ first three goals to tie his career high for assists in a game. It was his fifth three-assist game in the NHL, his first since Oct. 21, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks while with the Boston Bruins.

Quote, unquote: “We need to clean things up defensively and stuff like that,” Lucic said after the Kings ended a three-game losing streak. “I know it was great we got six goals tonight, but giving up four against is kind of unacceptable. We’ve got to clean that up with seven games left.”

Injury update: Kings left wing Kris Versteeg sat out for the fourth consecutive game because of a foot injury suffered when he blocked a shot during a March 19 game against the Boston Bruins, a 2-1 victory. Versteeg skated on his own after his teammates completed their morning skate.