EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Left wing Dwight King has agreed to a three-year, $5.85 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Kings, avoiding arbitration.

The Stanley Cup champions announced the deal Wednesday with King, a two-time Cup winner.

King set career highs with 15 goals and 15 assists in 77 games last season, adding three goals and eight assists in the playoffs.

King has been a dependable two-way forward for Los Angeles throughout its run to two NHL titles in three years, playing in all 64 of the Kings’ postseason games during that stretch.

He is a favorite of coach Darryl Sutter for his defensive play and penalty-killing acumen.

King and Los Angeles were scheduled for an arbitration hearing Friday in Toronto. The Kings have no remaining arbitration cases.

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