Kings Sign Four Players to NHL Contracts

The LA Kings have signed four players to NHL contracts, including:

Englund, 27, split the 2022-23 season between the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche, appearing in 47 games and earning four points (0-4=4) with 35 penalty minutes (PIM) to establish single-season career highs in games played, assists, points, PIM and shots on goal (31). He also played in 15 American Hockey League (AHL) contests with the Colorado Eagles, collecting three points (1-2=3) with a plus-one rating and 47 PIM.

Originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the second round (40th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Englund has registered seven points (0-7=7) in 80 career NHL games with Chicago, Colorado and Ottawa. The 6-3, 189-pound blueliner has also posted 49 points (10-39=49) with 410 PIM in 300 career AHL games and added two points (1-1=2) in eight Calder Cup Playoff games. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Englund also represented his native country at three International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events, including two IIHF World Junior Championships (2016 - captain, 2015) and one IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship (2014), registering two assists (0-2=2) in 21 contests.

Rittich, 30, played 21 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season, posting a 9-8-1 record with a 2.68 goals-against average (GAA) and a .901 save percentage (SV%). The 6-4, 205-pound netminder joins the Kings having played parts of seven NHL seasons with the Jets, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames. In 172 career NHL games, Rittich has accumulated a record of 79-51-21 with a 2.87 GAA, .904 SV% and four shutouts. A 2020 NHL All-Star Game participant, his best NHL season came in 2018-19 with the Flames where he established a record of 27-9-5, setting career marks in wins, goals-against average (2.61), save percentage (.911%).

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Calgary in 2016, Rittich has played in two seasons (2016-18) with the Stockton Heat of the AHL, going 22-16-5 with a 2.53 GAA, .914 SV% and seven shutouts. In four Calder Cup Playoffs games, Rittich went 2-1-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .917 SV%. The Jihlava, Czechia native has represented his home country at the 2018 IIHF Men's World Championship, posting a 2-1-0 record with a 1.98 GAA, .900 SV% and one shutout.

Maltsev, 25, split the 2022-23 season between the Avalanche and Eagles, appearing in five NHL contests with the Avalanche and 28 AHL games with the Eagles. With the Eagles, the 6-3, 198-pound forward earned 21 points (11-10=21) with eight PIM and a plus-12 rating and added four points (3-1=4) in seven Calder Cup Playoff games.

A fourth-round selection (102nd overall) of the New Jersey Devils in 2016, Maltsev has posted nine points (6-3=9) in 56 NHL contests with the Avalanche and Devils. In 134 AHL games, he has registered 91 points (40-51=91) with 56 PIM and a plus-19 rating with the Eagles and the Binghamton Devils. The St. Petersburg, Russia native represented his home country at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting two assists in five tournament games.

Santini, 28, spent time with both the St. Louis Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) last season, appearing in five NHL contests and collecting 10 points (2-8=10) with 32 PIM and a plus-8 rating in 64 AHL games. A second-round selection (42nd overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2013 NHL Draft, the 6-2, 209-pound blueliner has registered 23 points (5-18=23) and 57 PIM in 123 NHL contests with St. Louis, Nashville and New Jersey. In 239 AHL games, he has posted 50 points (10-40=50), 142 PIM and a plus-37 rating with Springfield, Utica Comets, Milwaukee Admirals and Albany/Binghamton Devils.

Prior to turning pro, Santini spent three years with Boston College (H-East), appearing in 98 NCAA games and collecting 35 points (5-30=35) with 122 PIM and a plus-48 rating. Internationally, the Bronxville, N.Y. native has represented the United States on three occasions, including one IIHF World Championship (2016), one IIHF World Junior Championship (2014), and one IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship (2013 - silver) and earned Best Defenseman tournament honors in 2013. In 22 appearances, he has scored one goal (1-0=1).