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So what\u2019s going on with LA\u2019s first round draft pick Henry Brzustewicz? Why haven\u2019t the Kings signed him to an entry level contract yet?<\/p>\n
Drafted into the organization this past June, Brzustewicz immediately became the team\u2019s top defensive prospect. Along with forward Liam Greentree and goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, the 18-year-old blueliner can easily be mentioned when talking about the Kings upper tier of potential NHL players currently in their pipeline. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s also coming off a Memorial Cup winning season with the London Knights (OHL) last season and is expected to anchor one of their top pairs in 2025-26, skating alongside fellow Kings prospect Jared Woolley. When Brzustewicz attended Development Camp a few months ago, coaches and scouts raved about him. <\/p>\n
So, again, why is he arriving in LA for Rookie Camp this week and still without a contract?<\/p>\n
For some context behind the question, let\u2019s look at a handful of LA\u2019s past first rounds selections. Rasmus Kupari, taken 20th overall in 2018, signed his ELC less than a month later. Alex Turcotte went fifth overall in 2019, but he went to college \u2014 making him ineligible to sign an ELC until he left school. The team also selected Tobias Bjornfot in the first round that year; he signed an ELC less than month later. <\/p>\n
Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke were top 10 picks for LA at the following two NHL Drafts. Once again, the Kings had them signed to ELCs shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n
Ditto for Liam Greentree after he was selected 26th overall last summer. <\/p>\n
Why the delay in getting Brzustewicz inked to his first pro contract?<\/p>\n
In checking with a few team sources, Mayor\u2019s Manor has learned the topic is on the agenda for this week, when GM Ken Holland arrives back in town after attending league meetings in Detroit last week. He\u2019s expected to huddle with his circle of key lieutenants and put a game plan together, perhaps even reaching out to Brzustewicz\u2019s agent.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s really not much to worry about when taking a big picture approach. LA will hold his rights for several years, and they\u2019ll eventually get a deal done. That\u2019s almost a given. <\/p>\n
Still, what\u2019s going on?<\/p>\n
Well, the new CBA is possibly (read: likely) playing into all of this. <\/p>\n
Beginning in March of next year, the rules surrounding ELCs will be changing \u2014 as Puck Pedia laid out in an article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Essentially, ELCs have three major components to them, and they\u2019re all dictated by what\u2019s in the CBA. Meaning, players signing their first NHL contracts don\u2019t really have much room to negotiate. The term (years) and money (what is paid in both the AHL and NHL) are all preset numbers. The only real wiggle room surrounds performance bonuses. <\/p>\n Under either version of the CBA, Brzustewicz will be signing a three-year deal (and it won\u2019t really kick in until he turns pro down the road). This is the standard length of a contract for a player coming out of the OHL.<\/p>\n However, if Brzustewicz waits until March \u2014 when the new ELC numbers kick in \u2014 he may be looking at a contract that comes with a higher signing bonus. This could potentially offset the cash he\u2019d be leaving on the table now because junior players get about $10k per season when they go back to the OHL. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at it this way: If Brzustewicz signed this week, he could earn his signing bonus and a junior salary this coming season. With a max signing bonus, that\u2019s about $100k for 2025-26. However, it\u2019s not like he\u2019d be losing that money forever; he just wouldn\u2019t be getting the $10.5k for his OHL year. The signing bonus money will still get paid once he finally signs the deal.<\/p>\n There\u2019s at least one other tidbit worth mentioning, as well. By not signing a contract now, it leaves the option open of Brzustewicz possibly playing a year of college hockey in 2026-27 (before turning pro two years from now). At the moment, that isn\u2019t believed to be the preferred path for how this will play itself out. However, it\u2019s at least an option on the table; something that perhaps even becomes a more intriguing possibility over the next six months or so. <\/p>\n Thus, it will be interesting to see which way things go over the next few weeks. Will the two sides agree to an ELC quickly or will this entire conversation end up being shelved until March?<\/p>\n MORE LA KINGS NEWS:<\/strong><\/p>\n LA Kings Select Henry Brzustewicz at No. 31\u2013 What You Need to Know<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n VIDEO: Woolley and Brzustewicz Mic\u2019d Up at Kings Dev Camp 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Follow @mayorNHL<\/a><\/p>\n Note to webmasters\/reporters:<\/strong> When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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