Kings sign Francesco Pinelli to one-year, two-way contract

As we near the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings have locked up a former draft pick for another season.

On Wednesday, the team announced that they have signed center Francesco Pinelli to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

The deal will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $850,000 at the NHL level.

Pinelli, 23, had 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 65 games for the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Ontario Reign this past season.

The Stoney Creek, Ontario native, who played his junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), was initially selected in the second round (42nd overall) by Los Angeles in the 2021 draft. After getting drafted, Pinelli played two more seasons in Kitchener, serving as the team’s captain. He improved his production each year and broke out with 41 goals and 49 assists for 90 points over 60 games in his final junior season of 2022-23, which tied him for 11th in the OHL in scoring.

Pinelli made his professional debut for the Reign in the 2023-24 season, notching 13 goals and 7 assists for 20 points in 67 games. In the 2024-25 season, again played entirely with Ontario, he registered 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points in 70 games.

While Pinelli has not performed as well as the Kings were likely hoping based on his draft stock and junior production, he has gradually improved his play at the AHL level, and he’s still young enough that he could eventually contribute for Los Angeles in the NHL.

The Kings, who had their 2025-26 season end following a first-round sweep at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, hold the 17th pick in Friday’s draft. Look for them to seek offensive upgrades this offseason as they venture into their post-Anze Kopitar era.