Defenseman Strand signs 1-year extension
The Kings re-signed defenseman Austin Strand to a one-year, two-way contract worth up to $771,750, the team announced Thursday.
Strand, 24, made his NHL debut last season and went on to compete in a dozen more games for the Kings, recording an assist, eight penalty minutes and a plustwo rating. He also had five points in 19 games for the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ top minor-league affiliate.
He was one of several inexperienced Kings defensemen thrust into duty last season by a lack of depth on the NHL roster that was further compounded by injuries.
“Guys like Austin Strand have really opened our eyes. He’s been a pretty good defenseman for us,” coach Todd McLellan said of Strand following his third game with the Kings last season.
Strand competed in the Western Hockey League. He played a defensive-oriented role until a breakout performance in the playoffs led to an explosive campaign in which he posted 64 points in 69 games.
The Kings signed him as an undrafted free agent and, after two years of developing him between two affiliates, Strand was able to make a contribution at the top level. His play elicited plaudits during his limited duty.
“For an inexperienced player, he seems to have a high level of poise. His panic point is fairly low,” McLellan said. “He puts himself in pretty good situations to have simple success.”
Strand projects to begin the year as a depth defenseman, though injuries and underperformance led the Kings to shuffle the deck during two points of last season that saw them call up minor-leaguers and sometimes switch defensemen to their opposite sides. One spate of absences hit the left side of the defense hard, while another ravaged the right.
A right shot, Strand would be competing for a roster spot with the more established Sean Walker since shutdown defender Matt Roy and No. 1 rearguard Drew Doughty have firm places in the top four.
Restricted free agent Kale Clague, a left shot, can also play the right side and should be back in the fold once his contract situation is resolved. The Kings added just one blue-liner in free agency, veteran left defenseman Dan Hamhuis.