Darryl Sutter has agreed to a new contract with the Los Angeles Kings, according to a report from Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
The Kings head coach told the Los Angeles Times earlier Thursday that he planned to remain with the organization next season.
“I’m under contract until July 1,” Sutter said. “I have no desire to go anywhere else or do any of that. We’ll get it worked out. That’s my plan.”
The Kings are coming off a first-round exit to the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Los Angeles won two Stanley Cups under Sutter in 2012 and 2014, made it to the Western Conference Final in 2013 and missed the post-season last year.
Several reports have indicated that Kings general manager Dean Lombardi has offered the 57-year-old Sutter a two-year contract.
In a text message to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman earlier this week, Sutter said that he had a contract offer but is still thinking about it.
“Still looking at what our team will potentially look like next season with (free agents), salary cap and kids still playing with (AHL) club in Ontario. Coached long time and a lot of playoff games, so number one for me is to continue to do that,” Sutter said.
“We have really enjoyed it here so that has weight. I want to win another Cup that also is a big factor.”
Lombardi had previously indicated that his offer to Sutter was “very fair.”
Part of Sutter’s evaluation process is how he fits into the team. That includes thinking of his family.
“Two things for me are important,” Sutter told the Times. “Family obviously. Wanda (wife) and Chris (son) really like it here. The next part is: Our team is going to change. We have to be able to adjust. You want to be able to do it sooner than later. So you want to know what you’re going to have and how you’re going to play. That’s the challenge, and that’s the good thing.”
