The Kings and Ducks will head east on the 10 Freeway to drop the puck on their exhibition schedule at Sunday’s Empire Classic in Ontario.

While both teams were still brimming with training-camp participants as rounds of cuts were yet to come, the maiden voyage of the preseason will set sail with a prominent contract situation looming over each club.

For the Kings, it’s less urgent. Top scorer and emergent leader Adrian Kempe is in the final season of his contract and, having just turned 29, he is in line for what projects to be the biggest contract of his career.

General manager Ken Holland said he began talks with Kempe’s agent, J.P. Barry, in earnest at June’s scouting combine and was optimistic about the possibility of a new agreement. The Kings have lost their top unrestricted free

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