While the hockey world was laser-focused on the Kings adding a defenseman, they were quietly finalizing the terms of a deal that would lock up one of their top existent rearguards for the long haul.
Mikey Anderson and the Kings agreed to a $33 million contract extension over the maximum duration allowed, eight years, giving the pact an annual average value of $4.125 million.
The team made the announcement even as most of the North American hockey news media was searching for links between the Kings and another left-shooting defenseman, Jakob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes. His longstanding trade request appeared on the cusp of being met, and he has been attached to the Kings with greater intensity than ever in recent days.
Anderson, 23, debuted late in the 2019-20 season, participating in six games, all victories, before play was suspended due to the pandemic. The following campaign, he’d make an unlikely ascent from fourth-round pick to first-pairing defenseman, finding a permanent home alongside Drew Doughty. Anderson is part of a new generation of staunch rearguards who utilize four-way mobility, keen positioning and adroit timing rather than physical play to control games defensively.
“We’re excited to have a player of Mikey Anderson’s caliber signed to the Kings long-term,” said Kings vice president and general manager Rob Blake. “Mikey has not only developed into a trusted, shut-down player on the ice, but a well-respected individual in the room that we envision continuing to grow into our leadership core.”
Relative to his performance in the NHL, Anderson’s extension projects as a tremendous value, not unlike the seven-year, $28 million deal Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi signed early in his career. Though Anderson does not possess anything resembling the offensive prowess of Josi, his ability to match up against top opponents and initiative in the dressing room would not be difficult to quantify if he were to have hit the open…
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