Report: Adrian Kempe's contract demands go way up after Kaprizov signing

With the likes of Kirill Kaprizov, Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor all off the market for this upcoming offseason, you have to wonder what the free agent class of 2026 will look like.

Artemi Panarin will likely generate the most interest. But there's a secondary market for players like Anders Lee, Adrian Kempe, Jaden Schwartz and Patrik Laine, as well.

There have been reports that Kempe and the Kings were close on an extension, but Kaprizov's record setting contract appears to have changed everything.

NHL insider Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reports that Kempe was originally seeking a deal that would pay him $10 million annually, but he has now bumped his demands up to $11 - $12 million annually.

Meanwhile, TSN insider Pierre LeBrun echoes that report saying for his Insider Trading Segment:

"There's ongoing dialogue there; Nylander's contract...has been introduced in the conversation; Connor's $12m a year will be part of that conversation as well; I think we're probably looking at $11-12m for Kempe."

For what it's worth, Kempe is coming off a four year deal that pays him $5.5 million annually. He managed a career best 35 goals and 73 points in 81 games for the Kings last season.