LOS ANGELES, July 4 -- One day after losing Luc Robitaille to free agency, the Los Angeles Kings late Tuesday signed veteran right wing Steve Heinze to a three-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed for Heinze, an unrestricted free agent, who split last season between the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres and was paid $1.32 million.
The 31-year-old Heinze established career highs with 27 goals and 27 assists in 79 games and ranked 12th in the NHL with 12 power-play tallies. He added three goals and four assists in seven playoff games with Buffalo, which acquired him at the trade deadline for a third-round draft pick.
"Steve Heinze is a proven NHL scorer who will provide some balance to our top lines," said Kings General Manager Dave Taylor. "He is a valuable player on special teams and will also bring some veteran leadership to our club."
Los Angeles lost some of that leadership Monday, when Robitaille took his 37 goals to the Detroit Red Wings and signed a two-year contract.
A 1988 third-round draft pick, Heinze has 158 goals and 135 assists in 594 games with Boston, Columbus and Buffalo.
