Forward Dustin Penner wants to stay in Los Angeles with Kings -NHL Update
Dustin Penner might not have had his best career season in the National Hockey League (NHL) with Los Angeles during 2011-2012, but the veteran left winger has indicated that wants to remain a King when his contract expires on July 1st.
The 29-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent on this year’s free agency deadline, bringing an end to his five-year, $21.25 million contract that start back before the 2007-2008 regular season.
Penner was a major contributor in the playoffs as he became one of the best players and surprised the team after not having such a good performance during the regular season.
Returning to Los Angeles after making the overtime game-winner goal to eliminate Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Finals definitely showed him love from the fans and is something the player will never forget.
"It was like driving down a hallway lined with human flesh," Penner said. "You couldn't see anything except people screaming and Kings jerseys. It was a feeling that not anyone will forget ever, I think, on the Kings team. It's one of those things you only
get to experience when you make it to the Cup Final."
Penner had a salary cap hit of $4.25 million and was not a favourite of Darryl Sutter after the team acquired him from Edmonton Oilers back before the 2011 trade deadline in exchange for a first round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
His performance really got a boost during the pressurised playoffs, which is when he really showed his worth to coach Sutter.
"It's just one of those things that you have to just keep on believing that there are going to be better days ahead, even if it doesn't look like it," Penner said about his regular season performance.
Dustin Penner, a native of Winkler, Manitoba, Canada, spent his first two seasons in the league with Anaheim Ducks and had a peak performance with Edmonton Oilers back in the 2009-2010 regular season.
In total, he has played 489 career games for 261 points (135 goals, 126 assists) and 306 minutes in penalty time.
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