Los Angeles Kings: Will team bring back any free agent defensemen?
By Ryan Sikes
Sean Walker
With about a year and a half of NHL-level experience, Sean Walker is going to become a restricted free agent at the end of the league year. The 25-year-old scored five goals with 19 assists for 24 points while averaging 18:50 of on-ice time last year.
He racked up five assists playing on the second powerplay unit, but a closer look at his advanced statistics indicates that he needs to improve regardless of whether the Kings keep him.
Would Sean Walker be worth a four-year contract at a $3.8M AAV? #LAKings
— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) July 16, 2020
Walker had the second-most giveaways (65) on the team, and he registered a 0.0 GAR. Specifically, he fared negatively in even-strength offense and defense but was positive in man-advantage offense and defense.
Source: Evolving Hockey
Projected to earn a four-year contract at a $3.8M AAV, the Kings could let the free-agent market dictate whether they plan to re-sign the Keswick, Ontario native. Using the numbers from last year’s offer sheet compensation, if another team signs Walker to the projected amount, the Kings could net another second-round pick.