While the Los Angeles Kings were busy trying to sign the infamous Ilya Kovalchuk, they may have missed out on one of their top forwards, Alexander Frolov.
Frolov has been a consistent goal scorer for the Kings throughout his five-year career in the NHL, all spent in Los Angeles. However, the Kings didn't pay much attention to Frolov's free agency this summer, as they pooled all their efforts into signing Kovalchuk. And we all know how that went.
Kovalchuk– in what is now a highly-debated controversy — signed a contract with the New Jersey Devils, leaving the Kings high and dry. Since the snub by Kovalchuk, the Kings went back to Frolov to try and negotiate a contract, but it may be too late. According to a source close to the negotiations, Frolov is close to signing a deal with the New York Rangers, the L.A. Times reports.
After not receiving an option from Los Angeles, Frolov considered heading back to his native Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League, but the Rangers came calling before Frolov could pack his bags.
Frolov just concluded a five-year, $14.5 million contract with the Kings, earning $4 million during the 2009-10 season.
The 28-year-old left winger has put up over 50 points in all five seasons in the NHL, posting 19 goals and 32 assists with the Kings last season. His scoring output could definitely help the Rangers, and would match up well on a line with right-winger, Marian Gaborik, who led the team with 86 points (42 G, 44 A) last season.
