LA Kings re-sign Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract extension

The LA Kings have re-signed one of their few remaining restricted free agents when they inked Kale Clague to a new deal.

On Friday, the LA Kings have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract extension with a $761,250 AAV per CapFriendly.

The LA Kings have signed defenseman Kale Clague to a *one-year* two-way contract extension worth an AAV of $761,250.

Not a two-year as previously reported.#GoKingsGo

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) August 6, 2021

With the signing, defenseman Jacob Moverare remains the lone restricted free agent left for the team to sign. After re-signing Clague, the Kings have $3.5M in salary cap space available.

The LA Kings drafted Clague in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his slick skating ability and offensive prowess, Clague spent most of last season with the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign. In 23 games, he picked up one goal to go along with eleven assists. He also spent some time in Los Angeles during the 2020-21 season. There he posted six assists in 18 games played.

Normally a left-side defenseman, Clague can also play on the right side, which was observed when Matt Roy and Sean Walker were injured. Due to the expansion list configuration the Kings chose, Clague was left unprotected in the Seattle expansion draft. To the surprise of many (myself included), the Kraken did not take him – selecting fellow defenseman Kurtis MacDermid instead.

In his previous two seasons with the Reign, the 23-year-old Clague compiled 54 points in 101 games. The LA Kings training camp this season is expected to be a battle for many of the roster spots – including on defense.

The Kings are looking for some offense from the left side of their defense, and Clague has a great opportunity to show he can provide that at the NHL level. As a result of his age and experience, Clague is no longer waiver exempt, so if they attempt to send him back to Ontario after training camp, the Kings risk exposing him to be claimed by another team.