Kings sign forward Samuel Helenius to two-year contract extension (AAV: $875,000)

The LA Kings have signed forward Samuel Helenius to a contract extension.

Helenius’ contract is a two-year deal, carrying an AAV of $875,000, and I believe that the contract is a one-way deal in both seasons. Helenius was a pending restricted free agent this summer, coming off his entry-level contract, and he’ll remain a restricted free agent at the end of this extension as well. Per PuckPedia, Helenius isn’t slated to become an unrestricted free agent until 2030, so there’s plenty of time there. More on Helenius below.

Instant Analysis
Good to see Big Sammy get a new deal.

It’s been an interesting 12 months for Helenius. He impressed during training camp in 2024 and while he did not make the NHL roster, he put himself into Jim Hiller’s mind and was towards the top of the call-up list. Ultimately, he earned his first recall to the Kings in November. While he was reassigned to the AHL a couple of times, Helenius established a role with the Kings down the stretch and appeared in all six games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Edmonton, after skating in 50 games in total during the 2024-25 regular season. Helenius made the team for the first time out of training camp this fall, though with the emergence of Alex Turcotte as the team’s fourth-line center, he’s found playing time hard to come by, skating in three NHL games to date so far this season.

Helenius has ideal size, physicality and toughness for a fourth-line player. At 6-6, Helenius delivers something that most other players can’t, simply by showing up. Doesn’t hurt that the way he plays the game uses that size to his advantage. His 20.79 hits per/60 led the Kings and among players with at least 50 games played last season, Helenius ranked second in the NHL, behind only Vancouver’s Kiefer Sherwood. He’s been willing to drop the gloves and stand up for teammates too when needed. Big man who is willing to use that size to his advantage.

Though it hasn’t been the easiest road for him so far this season, he’s had a terrific attitude when he hasn’t been playing and has been one of the last players on the ice most days after practice, working on faceoffs and other aspects of his game to be as ready as he can be when he gets in. He’ll get his opportunity, certainly, in time. The Kings have been relatively healthy through the middle of the ice and Helenius hasn’t really gotten a ton of opportunity yet this season to showcase what he can do. But the Kings believe in his game. They’ve seen it before. Long term, they really value the size that Helenius brings and as he continues to improve his overall game, he’ll get his shot. The contract extension is a sign of their long-term belief in his game. Kings General Manager Ken Holland has historically valued size lower in the lineup so it isn’t surprising to see Helenius be in his plans, even if he’s not playing regularly right now. Helenius is by no means a potential replacement for Anze Kopitar next season but a reshuffling at the center position could potentially benefit him. In the short term, he’ll continue to work during practices and await his opportunity to get some game action. It’ll come, but might take a bit.

I see Helenius, right now, as a good longer-term option at the 4C position. He’s cost controlled for two seasons and will remain easy to fit on the NHL roster. Haven’t quite seen enough yet to suggest there’s potential to play higher in the lineup, but he’s a player who had a longer development curve and isn’t done developing yet. When the Kings drafted Helenius, they picked a player with a high floor but maybe the ceiling of a 3C as opposed to a top-six forward. That’s probably still what Helenius can become, is a bottom-six player, but you need those players to be successful. A good option to retain going forward.

With Helenius signed, the Kings now have 10 forwards, five defensemen and two goaltenders signed for next season. With Helenius’ new contract number factored in, it leaves just over $22,000,000 in salary-cap space with six open roster spots left to fill, per PuckPedia. Plenty of room to fill out the roster, with Helenius now being a cost-effective option at the bottom of the lineup.

From the team’s official release –

Helenius, 23, has skated in 53 career games with the Kings, including a 50-game rookie season in 2024-25 where he recorded four goals and seven points (4-3=7). Helenius scored his first career goal on Jan. 22 against Florida and recorded his first career multi-point game (2-0=2) on April 15 in Seattle. The 6-6, 200-pound forward made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut with the Kings this past spring, posting one assist in six postseason contests. He also collected six points (2-4=6) in 20 games for the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

Selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Helenius has played in 162 career AHL games over parts of four seasons (2021-25) with Ontario, accumulating 13 goals and 40 points (13-27=40) with one game-winning goal and 156 PIM. He has added one helper in eight career Calder Cup Playoff contests. Prior to his North American debut, Helenius appeared in 102 games (2020-22) with JYP Jyväskylä of Liiga, Finland’s top professional hockey league, where he registered 10 goals and 23 points (10-13=23). Helenius also played one season in the Finnish junior ranks, scoring 24 points (13-11=24) in 51 games with Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-Liiga).

Internationally, the Järvenpää, Finland native has represented his home country at the 2021 and 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships. In 2021, Helenius posted four points (2-2=4) in seven tournament games to help guide Finland to a silver medal while notching one goal in six tournament games the following year to earn a bronze medal.