Check out the latest on Kings winger Adrian Kempe and Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL IT COST THE KINGS TO RE-SIGN KEMPE?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jesse Courville-Lynch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard Adrian Kempe was seeking an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million on his next contract. He wondered if it would remain there or go a little higher in the aftermath of Kirill Kaprizov’s contract extension with the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe, 29, is in the final season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. He is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images).

Kempe has become the Kings’ leading goal scorer and is a solid two-way forward. He’s also a proven playoff performer with 29 points in 28 postseason contests. With team captain Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, Courville-Lynch believes the Kings must do everything they can to keep Kempe in the fold. Otherwise, it will move them out of playoff contention and back into rebuilding.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Kempe doesn’t expect to have a contract extension before the Kings open their regular season this week. A new contract for the 29-year-old winger remains a priority for Kings general manager Ken Holland, and the two sides continue to talk regularly.

Stephens believes the Kings winger should easily eclipse the $8.5 million AAV that Nikolaj Ehlers received when he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer. His value to the Kings could push his next contract into the $10 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rising salary cap and Kempe’s value mean the Kings must sign him to an AAV worth at least $10 million if they want to remain a competitive team over the next several years.

They have a projected $33.7 million in cap space for 2026-27, giving them plenty of cap room to retain him. If they’re unwilling to pay, other clubs will if he goes to market next July.

The contract might not age well if Kempe gets the maximum eight years. They could try to work out a deal where he gets a five-year deal worth around $10.5 million annually.

THE LATEST QUINN HUGHES SPECULATION

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. His younger brother, Luke, signed a seven-year deal with the New Jersey Devils last week, ensuring that he and his brother Jack will remain together with the Devils until 2030, when Jack’s contract expires.

Many observers believe Quinn will opt for free agency when his current contract expires in 2027 and join his brothers in New Jersey. The Canucks want to re-sign him, but the opportunity to join his brothers could be too enticing.

Whatever Quinn gets on his next contract will be massive, sparking Johnston to wonder if the Canucks will be in a position to afford him. He pointed out that the club is considered to be below average in franchise valuation. They are sitting 18th on Sportico’s recent list, dropping five spots from last year. The club has grown revenues more slowly than the league average, largely because it struggled to make the playoffs.

How this season goes will play a huge role in determining Quinn’s future with the Canucks. However, even if they regain their 2023-24 form, that might not be enough to keep him in Vancouver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes could decide to go to market in 2027, which would force the Canucks to trade him before then. He should fetch a quality return that helps them rebuild. Hughes lacks no-trade protection, but interested teams will want assurances that he’ll re-sign with them before agreeing to a trade.

The Devils have a projected $53.1 million in cap space for 2027-28. A significant portion will be allocated to re-signing team captain Nico Hischier and re-signing or replacing goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Still, they should have enough to pull off a Hughes brothers reunion in two years, if not sooner, if they can land Quinn via trade with the Canucks.