Byfield signs 5-year, $31.25 million contract with Kings

Quinton Byfield signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. It has an average annual value of $6.25 million.

The 21-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, set NHL career highs in goals (20), assists (35) and points (55) in 80 regular-season games last season. He also had four assists in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"You know what, I'm just happy to be an L.A. King for the next five years," Byfield said Tuesday. "There was a couple deals on the line, and I think we always came to the agreement this was the best deal for both sides. And when that time comes, hopefully that time never comes, I want to be an L.A. King for the rest of my life."

Selected by Los Angeles with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Byfield has 88 points (28 goals, 60 assists) in 179 regular-season games, and eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 13 playoff games.

Byfield, a natural center who played wing on the top line with center Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe last season, will move back to center this season.

"I'm excited for that," Byfield said. "It's almost like a new challenge again, going back down the middle, but I've played there my whole life. Playing with and alongside 'Kopi', playing with Phil (Danault) as well, just watching those guys, how responsible they are in the 'D' zone, how much care they take back there, both sides of the puck, taking face-offs and everything, I feel like I’ve learned a lot from them. And when I get back to center, kind of just mold my game a little bit after them and take a piece of their game."

NHL.com independent correspondent Dan Greenspan contributed to this report