Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan is returning to the Los Angeles Kings despite not being issued a qualifying offer yesterday. Per the team, he’s been issued a one-year deal worth $775K. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports they’ve also signed forward Mikhail Maltsev to another one-year, $775K deal.
Anderson-Dolan has been with the Kings since he was drafted by them 41st overall at the 2017 draft. In 2021-22 Anderson-Dolan took a step forward in the AHL, scoring 24 goals and 47 points in 53 games. That earned him a long look at the NHL level, and he got into 46 regular-season games scoring seven goals and 12 points.
With this affordable contract extension, Anderson-Dolan is likely to once again be in place for a depth role in Los Angeles, though as he’s set to turn 24 he won’t be waiver-exempt as he was in earlier seasons.
Maltsev, 25, is a speedy winger who, like Anderson-Dolan, has been a quality scorer at the AHL level but hasn’t quite found his footing yet in the NHL. He’s got just nine points in 56 career NHL games but 91 points in 134 games at the AHL level.
While he’ll have to clear waivers to be sent to the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ affiliate, should he clear he’d boost their offensive attack while also serving as a call-up option should some injury issues hit the Kings’ lineup.