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2016 NHL Free Agency: Who the Kings signed

By Pamela Rios

Feb 16, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Michael Latta (46) takes to the ice against the Los Angeles Kings at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Michael Latta (46) takes to the ice against the Los Angeles Kings at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The first weekend of this year’s NHL free agency period was the frenzied event one expected, with so many big-name players hitting the open market.

Some players like Kyle Okposo, Loui Eriksson, and ex-King Milan Lucic found new homes with different teams, while others like Steven Stamkos and Darren Helm stayed put with their respective teams.

Thanks to their tight salary cap situation, the Los Angeles Kings avoided the headline-making signings, instead opting to ink smaller, short-term deals with various depth players.

With the loss of both Luke Schenn and Jamie McBain this off-season, it came as no surprise two of the Kings’ signings were right-handed defensemen.

The first of the two was Tom Gilbert, 33, who last played for the Montreal Canadiens. Two of Gilbert’s major assets are said to be his puck-possession abilities and mobility. He was signed to a 1-year contract worth $1.4M.

The other signing was Zach Trotman, 25, who was signed to a 1-year, $650K deal. In 38 games with the Boston Bruins last season, Trotman racked up 2 goals and 7 points total.

Forward Michael Latta, who most recently played for the Washington Capitals, was later signed in an effort to solidify the Kings’ fourth line. Latta’s aggressive yet defensive style of play, along with a 49% faceoff success rate, seemed like a valuable asset for Kings GM Dean Lombardi to pick up for the team.

Latta was signed to a one-way, 1-year contract worth $600K.

Lastly, the Kings saw the return of two former players in goaltender Jeff Zatkoff and forward Teddy Purcell.

Zatkoff, a former Kings prospect and recent Stanley Cup Champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was signed to a 2-year, $1.8M contract. The 29-year-old is expected to fulfill the role of backup to current starter Jonathan Quick.

Meanwhile, Purcell, 30, was signed to a 1-year, $1.4M deal. Purcell last played for the Kings in 2010 under coach Terry Murray. He scored 14 goals and 29 points between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers last season. 

With the first few days of the free agency come and gone, the Kings may very well not be done making roster additions, with several months of off-season still yet to be seen.

Next: Dodgers Pitching Must Step Up

Time will tell if the team is successful in plugging in all the holes of its lineup the upcoming season.

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