Kings Lock In Sammy Helenius with Two-Year Extension: A Bet on Size, Grit, and Growth
The Los Angeles Kings are making moves-and they’re not waiting around to do it. On Tuesday morning, GM Ken Holland continued shaping the roster with a two-year contract extension for 23-year-old center Sammy Helenius.
The deal carries a $1.75 million total cap hit, averaging $875,000 annually, and runs through the 2027-28 season. It’s a one-way deal, signaling that the Kings see Helenius as a regular presence at the NHL level moving forward.
Let’s break down why this move matters.
A Development Project Paying Off
Helenius isn’t just a big body-though at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, he certainly brings size you can’t teach. Drafted 59th overall in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Finnish center has been steadily climbing the ranks in the Kings’ system. His game has matured over the last few seasons, evolving from a raw prospect into a reliable, physical depth piece who can hold his own in a bottom-six role.
That growth came into focus this fall. After an eye-catching training camp, Helenius earned a spot on the NHL roster under head coach Jim Hiller.
He made his league debut in early November during a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, notching an assist in his first game. Since then, he’s stuck around, tallying four goals and seven points across 50 games during the 2024-25 season.
Those numbers won’t jump off the stat sheet, but they tell part of the story. Helenius has carved out a role by doing the little things coaches love-winning battles along the boards, disrupting opposing rushes with his reach, and playing responsible two-way hockey. He’s not being asked to drive offense; he’s being trusted to bring energy, physicality, and defensive structure to the bottom six.
Why the Timing Makes Sense
This extension isn’t just about locking in a young player on a team-friendly deal-it’s about rewarding development and projecting future value. Helenius was originally set to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2026. By signing him now, the Kings buy two more years of cost certainty and avoid any offseason negotiating headaches.
It’s also telling that this is a one-way contract. That means Helenius will earn his NHL salary whether he’s playing in LA or not-a strong vote of confidence from the front office that he’s expected to be part of the big club for the foreseeable future.
What This Means for the Kings
For a team looking to build sustainable success, locking in depth players like Helenius is part of the formula. He’s not a top-line scorer, but he’s the kind of player who helps balance a roster. He gives the Kings size down the middle, can kill penalties, and brings a physical edge that’s valuable in the grind of an 82-game season-and even more so in the playoffs.
And let’s not overlook the message this sends to the rest of the locker room. Work hard, develop within the system, and there’s a path to a meaningful NHL role. Helenius is living proof.
With Ken Holland now steering the ship, we’re starting to see the blueprint emerge: invest in young talent, reward internal development, and build a roster that’s deep, disciplined, and playoff-ready. Helenius might not be the headline name, but he’s a key piece in that puzzle.
The Kings are banking on his continued growth-and if his trajectory holds, this contract could look like a bargain by the time it wraps in 2028.