The brakes slammed too hard for the Edmonton Oilers against the New York Islanders. Just after the Oilers’ shutout triumph against the New York Rangers, Edmonton’s campaign in the concrete jungle began on a high note. Still, it was then that the Islanders came, who, desperate for a maiden win this season,foiled the Oilers’ fairytale.
As the men in blue and orange brace themselves to face the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center, there has been some development to a parallel storyline: the Oilers’ quest for Los Angeles Kings phenom, Adrian Kempe, may not go as Stan Bowman wishes.
Will the Edmonton Oilers be Successful in their Adrian Kempe Campaign?
Rumors linking Kempe with the Oilers have been abundant. The Oilers have most intently followed the contract negotiations between the winger and Kings GM Ken Holland. In all honesty, the Kings have every reason to hold on to Kempe. Consequently, the team’s President, Luc Robitaille, affirmed Kempe’s importance to Los Angeles before adding that contract negotiations, which were suspended for a bit, have resumed.
According to Robitaille, the focus was on finding the correct number. David Pagnotta said the Kings may have to digest that the elite winger is expected to come at a whopping price. Pierre LeBrun estimated Kempe’s forthcoming average annual value to be around $11-12 million. However, if any teams were out there hoping that the hefty price tag might dissuade the Kings, they will likely be mistaken.
In a recent “Oilers Now” episode, Elliotte Friedman discussed Kempe’s contract situation with the Kings and the winger’s future in Los Angeles. Friedman believed that despite the loud and unavoidable speculation surrounding Edmonton and Kempe, the Kings would retain him.
Elliotte Friedman: You take a look at who’s coming off the board…I have to believe the Kings are gonna realise they need to sign Adrian Kempe; I gotta think the Kings are gonna sign him – Oilers Now (10/14)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 18, 2025
Kempe is a highly significant part of the Kings’ roster, and notwithstanding his expected massive payday, Los Angeles might just have to find a way to keep him. “I have to believe, and this is my personal opinion, but I have to believe Bob, that the Kings are going to realize they need to sign Kempe,” said Friedman to Bob Stauffer of the podcast.
Unless Friedman has a solid reason to believe that the Kings have a backup option without the winger, he will hold on to the idea that they must be compelled to hand him another contract that keeps Kempe in LA. “Like until I have reason to believe otherwise, I just, you look at their future, you look at what they got, and I just think he’s got, he is in such a good spot. I got to think the Kings are going to sign him.”
One of the most exceptional wingers in the NHL right now, Kempe is also expected to sign a long-term contract, enabling his team to reap the benefits of his prolonged commitment. At this point, there is little room to counter Friedman’s theory surrounding Kempe and the Kings.
