© Robert Hanashiro-Imagn ImagesThe Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the playoffs, and today they held their exit interviews with the players. NHL veteran Trevor Lewis spoke with the media and shared that he isn’t planning on retiring this summer—he wants to keep playing.
“I feel good. I still love coming to the rink every day,” Lewis said. “As long as I feel like I can help and contribute, I want to keep going.”
He’s a pending unrestricted free agent as of July 1, and with changes expected in Los Angeles, there’s a chance he hits the open market. If that happens, there’s an obvious choice for where he should sign next.
That’s with the Utah Hockey Club.
We see it all the time—fans want players to come home and play for their local teams. It happened with John Tavares in Toronto, Patrick Maroon with the St. Louis Blues, and Claude Giroux signing with the Ottawa Senators. It’s a special kind of homecoming, and fans absolutely love it.
For Lewis, it only makes sense to return home and play in Utah. He was born in Salt Lake City and now has the chance as a UFA to sign a team-friendly deal and play in front of friends and family for the first time in his career.
The fit makes sense. He’s a 17-year NHL veteran who spent 14 seasons with the Kings and won two Stanley Cups. This past season, he suited up in 57 games and recorded 5 goals and 8 points while playing in a fourth-line role.
He could step into Utah’s lineup in a similar spot and help mentor the younger players joining the team.
Hopefully, on July 1, we’ll be hearing that Lewis is coming home to sign with Utah and bringing his career full circle.
