With new contract in place, Jordan Spence is aiming to add more offense this season

Last week the Kings locked in another important piece of their roster for the upcoming 2024-25 season, signing Jordan Spence to a two-year contract extension.

Spence is part of an important group of young players on the roster that the team is counting on to take the next step in their development in order for them to continue competing at the top of the Pacific Division.

Last season was an improvement for Spence, who appeared in the Kings’ lineup for 71 games in his first full NHL regular season. It was a big jump for him, as he only got six games of action in 2022-23 after 24 contests during his first pro year (2021-22).

While the young blueliner certainly earned his place in the lineup, he was mainly deployed in a third-pairing role, averaging just 14:26 of ice time. That usage didn’t account for as much production as he might be capable of, with Spence totaling 24 points on two goals and 22 assists.

Now that he’s more used to the speed of the game and has a better sense of how to take care of his own end defensively, Spence is aiming to contribute more offensively as he did with the Ontario Reign in his first two pro campaigns when he scored over 40 points in back-to-back AHL seasons.

When asked to evaluate last season now that he’s had three months to reflect, Spence confessed he was more concerned about the defensive end of his game.

“I just wanted to defend really well because that’s the biggest thing, I’m a defenseman,” said the 23-year-old. “That’s the number one thing that I have to do and that’s my main focus that I had during my first full season.”

But he quickly added that he’s looking to contribute more on the team’s attack.

“I want to be more offensive”, said Spence. “I think I can contribute more and be more effective in the offensive zone. That’s the biggest thing that I kind of took back and have to really focus on this offseason and of course, once next season starts as well.”

FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON FOR SPENCE🚨🚨@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/jxialid1ak

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 16, 2024

With Matt Roy no longer with the organization, there’s certainly the opportunity for Spence to play more minutes. That’s also a chance for fellow right-shot prospect Brandt Clarke, who, like Spence, figures to have an increased role behind Drew Doughty on the right side.

Roy played 81 games last year and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time (20:54) after appearing in all 82 regular season contests the previous season. In over six minutes more time on ice per game than Spence, Roy only had only one more point, finishing with five goals and 20 helpers.

The math indicates that with more of a significant role for Spence, he should find himself helping the team score more goals, and he seems ready for that opportunity.

“Roysie’s a great player and there’s only good things to say about him,” Spence said. “Now this year and this season, there is a big role that has to take responsibility. This offseason I’m trying to work hard on the ice and off the ice and trying to be able to fill that role.”

Spence spends the majority of his offseason with family in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island but made it a priority to get back to Los Angeles earlier this year to spend extra time getting ready for training camp and the preseason.

“I’m really excited to go back to LA a little early and kind of settle down and just get ready to get the season going,” Spence said. “Every summer I just want to try and get stronger and put on more weight but at the same time still trying to be mobile on the ice. Obviously, I’ve already started my training, but I still have a good amount of it left. I’m trying to improve before the season and it’s going well.”

As previously mentioned, he’s part of an important group of players who are expected to get a shot to increase their role on the roster, along with fellow blueliner Clarke and forwards Samuel Fagemo, Akil Thomas and Alex Turcotte. Spence has gotten to know all of them well over the last few years, becoming close friends with each.

Last season, Spence was on the ice for Thomas and Turcotte’s first NHL goals, starting the play by securing the puck behind his own net both times. Turcotte’s came off a lead pass by Trevor Moore, but Thomas’ was a direct result of a drop pass by Spence in the offensive zone. The young blueliner was right in the middle of both celebrations, which produced memorable standout moments for the team.

Just as Spence did, Fagemo Thomas, and Turcotte all signed new contracts with the Kings during the offseason and will be counted on together as young pieces of a roster that’s otherwise filled with veterans.

“I know them well from when I was with the Reign,” Spence said of his relationship with the other members of the young core. “I’m familiar playing with Akil and Turc, who is my roommate, so being able to be friends with them and Clarke and Sammy as well, it’s really cool that now there’s a good amount of young guys with the Kings now. I think we’re all really excited to be on the same team but at the same time, being able to try and contribute and try and help the team win.”

Spence’s contract gives him security for the next two seasons, and locks in a reliable piece of the team’s defense at a reasonable cap hit for the team ($1,500,000/year). If he progresses the way he and the club expect, there could be a chance for the blueliner who was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft to secure a longer-term contract.

But for now, Spence has his sights focused on what’s in front of him over the next two campaigns.

“Personally for me, I want to be in LA my whole career, that’s still the goal,” Spence said. “[This deal] is only two years, but hopefully, after the contract I can stay there longer. That’s down the road, but I’m just really excited for these next few years that I’m part of the Kings organization again and really looking forward to the season.”