Kings sign defenseman Matt Roy to three-year contract extension

Good Morning, Insiders!

Some good news this morning, before we head to STAPLES Center this afternoon. The LA Kings have signed defenseman Matt Roy to a three-year contract extension. Roy was scheduled to be an RFA at the end of the season, with the two-year contract he signed in the summer expiring. His new contract carries an AAV of $3,150,000.

When asked earlier this month, Roy had a “let it happen behind the scenes” approach to his contract.

“I try to let it happen behind the scenes as much as I can,” Roy said. “I’m going to try and play my best obviously, out there and show my best, but I try not to let it into my head and affect me in a negative way too much.”

Today, he earns himself his first, full, one-way contract, after his last deal featured one of the two years, this one, as a one-way deal.

Ever since he was recalled to the Kings back in 2019, Roy has been a steady, stable presence on the Kings backend. Earning the nickname “Steady Eddie”, Roy has a stellar rookie season in 2019-20, profiled here, which earned him a vote for a spot on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.

On a team that struggled in the wins and losses columns, as well as with keeping pucks out of its net, Roy was a brighter light.

In terms of the advanced stats, Roy ranked as one of the NHL’s best defensemen last season, as he ranked in the top five in the NHL in terms of percentage of shot attempts and unblocked shot attempts for. The Michigan Tech product was one of three defensemen with a +200 differential in shot attempts and a +250 differential in unblocked shot attempts. Roy has continued to trend positively this season, on the positive side of shot attempts, while working his way through an early-season concussion, as well as playing with a wide variety of different defensive partners.

Locking up Roy for the next three seasons will bring him to unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the contract. His presence in Los Angeles for the next three seasons is welcomed, with the right-side of the Kings blueline – Drew Doughty, Roy, Sean Walker – locked up for the forseeable future.

From the team’s official release –

The LA Kings signed defenseman Matt Roy to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $3,150,000, according to Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake.

Roy, a 6-1, 200-pound native of Detroit, Mich., was selected in the seventh round (194th overall) by the Kings during the 2015 NHL Draft. He has played in 24 games so far this season, posting seven points (0-7=7) and a plus-2 rating. He ranks third among defensemen and fifth on the team overall in time on ice per game (19:16).

The 26-year-old blueliner made his NHL debut with the Kings during the 2018-19 season and has appeared in 119 NHL games, recording 31 points (6-25=31) and a plus-17 rating. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, he leads all Kings in plus/minus and his 18:08 TOI/GP during that span ranks eighth among LA defensemen.

He made his professional debut with the Ontario Reign (AHL) during the 2016-17 season and over three seasons, appeared in 102 games and registered 47 points (12-35=47) with the Reign. Prior to signing with the Kings, he played in 115 games for Michigan Tech over three years, totaled 55 points (12-43=55) with a plus-51 rating and helped lead the Huskies two NCAA tournaments.