After acquiring him in a trade last month, the Los Angeles Kings have signed Brayden Burke to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry an NHL salary of $750K.
Burke, 24, will actually be a Group VI unrestricted free agent next summer unless he ends up playing the majority of the season with the Kings. The undrafted forward has spent all three of his professional seasons at the minor league level, but scored at a better than point-per-game pace in 2019-20 and returned with 14 in 28 games this year. He managed just a single goal for the Tucson Roadrunners but should see that number rebound in the Kings system if he’s sent to the minor leagues.
That’s likely where his future lies, though perhaps he’ll be able to make his NHL debut this year with Los Angeles. The former WHL star has a high offensive ceiling, especially on the powerplay, but is undersized and still needs work away from the puck. If he does go to Ontario, he represents a potential first-line player for them as the AHL looks to get back into a normal schedule.
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