Rangers’ Pinelli signs with Kings

Los Angeles – The LA Kings have signed forward Francesco Pinelli to a three-year entry-level contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $867,500. The contract will go into effect at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Pinelli, the 42nd overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, was named captain of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) in his second season with the team. Through 53 games this season, he has already set career-highs in goals (22), assists (36) and points (58) along with a plus-4 rating. In 112 OHL regular-season games, all with Kitchener, he has posted 99 points (40-59=99) and a plus-19 rating.

The 6-1, 190-pound forward played one season in Slovenia during the 2020-21 season due to the OHL shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared in 13 games with HDD Jesenice, posting 11 points (5-6=11) and a plus-4 rating. In the postseason, he scored one goal in two games to help capture the Slovenia Championship.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Pinelli spent the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA. He was captain of the team and totaled 114 points (49-65=114) over 71 games.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, the 19-year-old won a gold medal with Team Canada during the 2021 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, posting 11 points (4-7=11) and a plus-8 rating in seven games.

Kings director of Scouting Mark Yannetti on Pinelli
Here’s a guy who was projected to go in the Top 15, 20 by multiple lists, and we started to see him fall, we started to formulate a plan to get up to him. There’s a guy who is a higher-skill guy, his skill is always thought of as higher-level…if he can address his deficiencies, you’re penciling in a Top-6 winger, if not better. He would slot in slightly under Kaliyev, who we have the benefit of a couple of years of information. He’s a playmaker, he’s slightly different in how he does it, but in terms of his tools, he would slot in at the higher-end of our prospects.

Kitchener Head Coach Mike McKenzie on Pinelli
Pinelli is leaps and bounds ahead of where he was when he was last with us and his game is much more mature, especially on the defensive side of the puck. He’s much more responsible. From the offensive side, he’s pretty dynamic and pretty tough to stop when he’s on his game. He does some special things with the puck and makes some special plays to show his skill and hockey sense. He’s definitely come a long way since he was 16, but we knew he had that ability and we’re not surprised by it to be honest.

For more information, visit lakingsinsider.com.

We’ve signed F Francesco Pinelli to an entry-level contract. His contract will go into effect at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

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— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 11, 2022