Jarret Stoll, who joined the Kings with Matt Greene in exchange for Lubomir Visnovsky in a June, 2008 trade with Edmonton and became a key figure in the establishment of a team identity and culture that helped form the backbone of two Stanley Cup runs, has signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers, the Eastern Conference-based club announced Monday. Per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, Stoll’s contract is for $800,000.
It was not expected that Stoll would resign with the Kings.
Stoll, who had six goals, 17 points and a plus-three rating in 73 games with Los Angeles in 2014-15, had previously signed a three-year extension worth $9.75-million following the club’s 2012 Stanley Cup. Serving as a disappointing end to his accomplished Kings tenure, Stoll was arrested on April 17 for suspicion of drug possession at the Wet Republic Pool at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and ultimately had a felony charge reduced to two misdemeanors that were not drug related.
Despite his legal complications, and despite what amounted to a down year in 2014-15, it would have been a surprise to have seen Stoll accept a training camp invitation or be without a contract when camps open one month from now. A popular team figure and ambassador to the press and the Kings’ charitable endeavors, the personable Stoll aligned well with the intangible aspects that lifted Los Angeles to the level of success that produced two Stanley Cups and a 4-0 record in Game 7s during his L.A. playoff tenure and served as a member of the club’s leadership core.
Though Stoll had topped out at 68 points in 2005-06, he adhered more to a checking center role late in his Kings tenure and remained a strong penalty killing option. Though he’s a traditionally strong faceoff artist with a career 55.4% success rate, he slipped 3.7% year-to-year and won 51.0% of his faceoffs in 2014-15.
In 506 games with the Kings, Stoll totaled 81 goals, 133 assists, 214 points, 344 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating. In 93 career playoff games – which also includes his 2006 run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers – Stoll has posted 10 goals and 26 points.
Coverage of his signing will continue when he meets with the media on a conference call this afternoon.
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