El Segundo, California – Forward Quinton Byfield has agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $31.25 million with the Los Angeles Kings. This deal was announced by the Kings on Monday for Byfield, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft. The contract is set to run through the 2028-29 season.
Byfield, who is 21 years old, showed significant improvement last season with the Kings. He achieved a career-high of 20 goals and 35 assists while playing a total of 80 games. Byfield became the first player in Los Angeles to reach a 20-goal season at his age since Anze Kopitar in 2007-08.
Initially having a slow start to his NHL career as a teenager, the 6-foot-5 power forward has now established himself as a key player for the Kings, especially on special teams. Byfield excelled last season with 14 points on the power play and scored four game-winning goals, ending the season with a plus-19 rating.
Despite Los Angeles making it to the playoffs for the third consecutive year, they were eliminated in the first round by Edmonton for the third straight season.
As a restricted free agent, Byfield will become the fifth forward and eighth player on the Kings roster with an average annual salary exceeding $5 million next season.
This contract extension signifies the Kings’ commitment to Byfield’s growth and development as a player. The team is hopeful that Byfield will continue to make significant contributions on the ice and help lead the Kings to greater success in the seasons to come.