Kings sign Lane Pederson (two years) + Erik Gustafsson, Scott Perunovich & Jen Jenik to one-year contracts

Three more signings for the LA Kings.

The Kings have inked defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Scott Perunovich to one-year contracts. Forward Lane Pederson to a two-year contract. The first year is a two-way deal and the second year is a one-way deal, which is interesting. Additionally, the Kings have signed forward Jan Jenik to a one-year contract. Perunovich and Jenik are both on two-way contracts, which means a different salary at the NHL and AHL levels, though Perunovich’s deal has a very heavy guarnantee, which speaks to his pedigree coming in.

More on all four players below.

Erik Gustafsson – 1 Year, AAV: $1,000,000
Gustafsson has more than 500 career games played in the NHL. He was nearly a point-per-game player at the AHL level last season and has shown sporadic production in the NHL as well. Gustafsson is kind of the inverse of what the Kings have. He moves pucks well, he can contribute on the power play and he’s produced even at the NHL level. What he lacks is the defensive side of the game and that is what prevented him from becoming a full-time NHL regular. He’s 34 now, so fitting the theme of the day, this isn’t a long-term signing. However, Gustafsson has a solid a different profile at a low cap hit.

The Kings could’ve used a player like that under contract last season, because it would have provided them with a different option. Gustafsson is an experienced puck mover who could’ve helped solve some of the problems the Kings had in terms of moving the puck from the blueline. However, that’s likely in a bottom-pairing role. Still, had a player like that been in the mix, it would have given the Kings additional options to potentially try and change things up.

The Kings will carry seven defensemen to begin next season and Gustafsson, who has experience working with Peter Laviolette, figures to be in that mix.

Gustafsson, 34, spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL), skating in 39 games with 33 assists and 37 points (4-33=37) with 12 power-play goals, 32 penalty minutes (PIM) and a +21 rating. Gustafsson paced all Grand Rapids blueliners in points and was one of 12 AHL defensemen with more than 30 helpers. He added six points (1-5=6) in eight Calder Cup Playoff contests. The 6-0, 190-pound defenseman also suited up in two games for the Detroit Red Wings.

Selected in the fourth round (93rd overall) of the 2012 Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Gustafsson has accumulated 47 goals and 240 points (47-193=240) in 517 career NHL games over parts of 10 seasons between the Chicago Blackhawks (2015-20, 2021-22), Calgary Flames (2019-20), Philadelphia Flyers (2020-21), Montreal Canadien (2020-21), Washington Capitals (2022-23), Toronto Maple Leafs (2022-23), New York Rangers (2023-24) and Red Wings (2024-26). His best NHL season came in the 2018-19 campaign where Gustafsson registered his first career 60-point season (17-43=60) in 79 games, placing third in goals and sixth in points among all league blueliners. That same year, Gustafsson established career-marks in power-play goals (4), game-winning goals (3), hits (100), blocked shots (115), takeaways (34) and time-on-ice per game (TOI/GP; 22:35). He has added 12 points (2-10=12) in 49 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of Nynäshamn, Sweden, Gustafsson has appeared in 159 career regular-season AHL games across four seasons with the Rockford IceHogs (2015-18) and Grand Rapids Griffins (2025-26), posting 15 goals and 95 points (15-80=95). Prior to his North American debut, Gustafsson played three seasons of professional hockey in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Frölunda HC (2013-15) and Djurgårdens IF (2011-12).

Internationally, Gustafsson has represented Sweden in five International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championships (2016, 2018 – bronze, 2019, 2022, 2025 – gold). In 40 games across those five tournaments, Gustafsson has tallied 21 points (2-91=21) with a cumulative +13 rating.

Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

Scott Perunovich – 1 Year, AAV: $850,000
Perunovich played 64 games with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners but played NHL games in each of the three prior seasons, totaling 108 games in the league with St. Louis and New York. Perunovich was one of the AHL’s most productive defensemen last season playing with Tucson. He’s younger for sure – 27-years-old – and played in the AHL for the first time in a few years. He’s in that tweener range, where he’s clearly an elite player at that level but hasn’t been able to cement himself as a full-time NHL player in an everyday lineup.

This is the profile of defenseman the Kings need and it gives them an additional option they didn’t really have last season.

It’s no secret that the group on the blueline is not a puck-moving group. The Kings didn’t have that option as a number-seven defenseman when perhaps they might’ve wanted to shake things up a bit. Perunovich presents that sort of option.

When Ken Holland said that Jacob Moverare would not return to the Kings as a UFA, I think that the goal was to add that different skillset. The things that Moverare does well, he does well – he’s extremely intelligent, he defends and he’s a safe player who rarely hurts you. However, when the Kings struggled last season, what they needed was a player who added the puck-moving element. Moverare didn’t offer enough that was different, even though I think he was effective enough when he got a chance.

Perunovich is a guy who will come in and compete either for a seventh-defenseman role or potentially a spot within the lineup. While he is already signed, I’d put Angus Booth firmly in that same boat, as is the case with defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who was reportedly signed by the Kings as well. AAV and experience shouldn’t guarantee anything, especially on a team that underachieved last season. Players like this should have an opportunity to come into training camp and push both to make the team and potentially play, if they can showcase that they deserve so.

Perunovich, 27, suited up in 64 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), establishing new career-marks in games played (64), goals (9), assists (40) and points (49). Perunovich’s 49 points led all Tucson blueliners and placed third among AHL defensemen.

Originally selected in the second round (45th overall) by St. Louis in the 2018 NHL Draft, Perunovich has 30 helpers and 32 points (2-30=32) in 108 career regular-season NHL games between the Blues (2021-22, 2023-25) and New York Islanders (2024-25). He has added four assists (0-4=4) in seven Stanely Cup Playoff matchups. In 103 career AHL contests, Perunovich has scored 14 goals and 91 points (14-77=91) with the Roadrunners (2025-26) and Springfield Thunderbirds (2021-23).

Prior to his professional career, the 5-10, 175-pound defenseman collected 105 points (20-85=105) in 115 collegiate games with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) from 2017-20 where he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2017 and 2018. In his junior, and final year with the program, Perunovich was awarded the Hobey Baker Award after finishing the season tenth in the nation in scoring and second among all NCAA defensemen. His 34 helpers led all blueliners and was the second-most in the NCAA. While at Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich also earned the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Best Offensive Defenseman and First All-Star Team honors in each of his three years. Before the college ranks, Perunovich appeared in 56 games for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

A native of Hibbing, Minnesota, Perunovich represented Team USA at two IIHF tournaments, including the 2023 Men’s World Championship and 2018 Men’s World Junior Championship (bronze).

Lane Pederson – 2 Years, AAV: $875,000
We’ve seen this kind of a contract here a few times in recent seasons. Jeff Malott is the best example of it working out. The Kings will often offer deals like this to players who they see with a bit of untapped upside.

Pederson is a guy who has produced at a very strong level in the AHL. He led the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms in scoring during the 2025-26 season, both in goals and points. He cracked the 50-point mark with the Bakersfield Condors during the 2023-24 season and he’s posted 45+ points with three different AHL organizations, also including the Tucson Roadrunners. He has also scored 20+ goals three different times in the AHL.

On paper, you say there’s the top-line center for the Ontario Reign. Stands to reason. He’s been an up-and-down guy between the NHL and AHL throughout his career, filling in with five different NHL organizations, totaling 76 games. However, the two-year contract gives some pause. Could the Kings see a little bit more in there? Perhaps. The second year of the deal is reportedly a one-way contract, which you don’t always see for a player you only expect to play in the AHL. His first year is a hefty guarantee as well, which means that the Kings might see a player in there. Ultimately, it remains to be seen where Pederson slots in, but the trail of breadcrumbs suggests he is a player the Kings see some value with and as such, he could potentially factor into the roster picture in one form or another.

Pederson, 28, skated in 63 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, notching 23 goals and 48 points (23-25=48) with nine power-play goals to lead all Lehigh skaters in all three scoring categories. He also played in five games with the Philadelphia Flyers.  

The 6-1, 200-pound forward has 11 points (4-7=11) in 76 career NHL games with the Flyers (2025-26), Columbus Blue Jackets (2022-23), Vancouver Canucks (2022-23), San Jose Sharks (2021-22) and Arizona Coyotes (2020-21). In 374 career AHL games across nine seasons, he has registered 134 goals and 278 points (134-144=278) with an additional five points (4-1=5) in 11 Calder Cup Playoff outings. Pederson established his best professional season in 2023-24 with his first career 50-point campaign (22-30=52) as a member of the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).

Prior to turning pro, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native played in 199 Western Hockey League (WHL) games over four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos (2015-17), Red Deer Rebels (2015-16) and Seattle Thunderbirds (2013-15).

hoto by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Jan Jenik – 1 Year, AAV: $850,000
Good to see Jenik get a chance to showcase what he can do.

Jenik was acquired by the Kings during the season as someone who could come in and help the Ontario Reign push for a playoff run. He came in, played two games and unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury that cost him the chance to help the Reign down the stretch and in their Round 2 series versus Coachella Valley.

Jeník came to the Kings from the Ottawa Senators organization, where he had played two NHL games in the 2024-25 season. Jenik also played 22 games with the Arizona Coyotes over four different seasons, after the Coyotes drafted him in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Jenik had a decent AHL track record, especially during his time in Tucson, and was brought in as someone the Reign felt could play in their Top-9 up front. Turned out not to be the case, though due to circumstances outside of everyone’s control. Jenik likely sees himself as someone who can come in and potentially try to make the NHL roster. As he should. If not, he’s a player with some experience who should fill an AHL role with the Ontario Reign this season.

Jeník, 25, spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Belleville Senators (AHL), posting nine goals and 17 points (9-8=17). He also suited up for two games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) after his acquisition by the Kings on March 12, 2026.

Drafted in the third round (65th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Draft, Jeník has skated in 24 career NHL games as a member of the Coyotes (2020-24) and Ottawa Senators (2024-25), collecting four goals and six points (4-2=6). The 6-1, 205-pound forward has totaled 166 points (67-99=166) in 260 career AHL regular-season games over six seasons with the Reign (2025-26), Senators (2024-26) and Tucson Roadrunners (2020-24). In the 2021-22 campaign as a member of the Roadrunners, Jeník posted career-highs in goals (17), assists (30), and points (17-30=47) in 51 games. He has also added three points (1-2=3) in five career Calder Cup Playoff contests.

Prior to his professional debut, Jeník played parts of two seasons (2018-20) with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he tallied 86 points (35-51=85) in 54 games. A native of Nymburk, Czechia, Jeník represented his home country in three International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournaments, including two Men’s World Junior Championships (2019, 2020) and one Under-18 Men’s World Championship (2018).