Adrian Kempe ended up playing some of the best hockey of his young career in the spring. It just wasn’t with the Kings.
Kempe was part of Sweden’s run to the World Championship gold medal in May. He contributed two goals and six assists in 10 games and teamed with countrymen Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell of the Ducks after all were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
“I think it was a good thing,” Kempe said. “Before summer started, I got some confidence in the tournament and it’s a good thing going into the offseason and a new season coming ahead.