""There's probably some teams that would have given me offers. But I never really got to the part where that was something that I wanted," he said. "I'm really happy here. Always have been. Family-wise, the same. "So there was never anything else in my mind.""
""I'm not happy, but I really believe in this group," said winger Kevin Fiala, who shares the team goal-scoring lead with Kempe."
Adrian Kempe chose stability and happiness over chasing a potentially larger unrestricted free-agent payday, signing an eight-year, $85 million extension to remain with the Kings. Kempe, 29, leads the team with 30 points, including 13 goals and a team-high 17 assists, and has scored seven goals in the 17 games since his extension. The Kings, however, have slumped, losing six of seven games and ranking second-to-last in offense. With captain Anze Kopitar retiring, Kempe is set to become the franchise's next leader amid questions about whether he can spark a Stanley Cup-caliber turnaround.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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