Los Angels Kings sign Jakub Dvorak to entry-level contract

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Jakub Dvorak to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $900,000 per season.

The Kings selected the 18-year-old with the 54th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft last month. Dvorak spent the season with Bill Tygri Liberec in Czechia’s top men’s league, registering two assists.

Dvorak was also an international force, captaining the Czech Republic U-18 side and recording three points in five games at the U-18 World Championship. Dvorak also played a handful of games for the Czech U-20 side, his first experience with the team.

A great physical defender, Dvorak is 6-foot-5 and 209 pounds. He’s mobile for his size, with fast skating and smart positional play in his own zone. But as far as Dvorak is concerned, it’s his physical game that stands out the most, and he could one day play a solid third-pairing role in the NHL.

According to CapFriendly, the Kings are currently $751,667 over the salary cap and no RFAs are yet to be signed. The team has a strong pool of young defensive prospects, with Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke leading the way. Los Angeles was knocked out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers for the second straight year, but their 47 wins were their record since 2015-16.