Pearson re-ups for four years, $15-million

One of the largest undertakings of the Kings’ checklist for this summer has been completed: Tanner Pearson has re-signed for four years and $15-million, the team announced Tuesday. Pearson would have been due to become a restricted free agent.

The club’s first round selection in 2012, Pearson has amassed 54 goals and 103 points in 226 regular season games. In 2016-17, he totaled 24 goals and 44 points in 80 games, having appeared in every game after missing the first two games of the season due to a suspension. In every season he has spent in the NHL, Pearson has raised his goals, points and shots on goal totals year-over-year in the NHL.

Financials are a bit hazy at the moment due to expected ongoing roster turnover, the expansion draft and free agency, but at this moment, the Kings have $62.15 invested in 16 players for the 2017-18 season, according to financials provided by Cap Friendly. Preliminary estimations have next season’s salary cap rising to $75.5-76M, though it’s contingent on the players choosing to exercise the 5% escalator. Hypothetically, were Gaborik to be placed on LTIR at the start of the season, they could regain nearly all of his $4.875M cap hit, which would give them nearly $15.73M to allot to up to seven players. Keep in mind Tyler Toffoli is not among the 16 players with contracts for next season and requires a new deal, as do the less expensive Nick Shore, Andy Andreoff, Kevin Gravel, Paul LaDue, Jonny Brodzinski and Michael Mersch, among others. While LTIR is highly speculative as it relates to Gaborik, it is surely a mechanism the front office has considered.

That’s it for now; reaction from Pearson will come later this afternoon.