Milan Lucic expects to hit the open market.

The Los Angeles Kings forward told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, via text message, he expects to become a free agent on July 1. 

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Kings general manager Dean Lombardi then confirmed to Lebrun, again via text, that Lucic would not be re-signed before free agency opens. Lombardi also said he sent a letter to all 29 teams authorizing Lucic's camp to talk to teams immediately.

The 27-year-old power forward scored 20 goals and added 35 assists over 81 games with the Los Angeles Kings in 2015-16, his first season with the club. The Boston Bruins traded Lucic to the Kings last summer for the No. 13 pick in the 2015 draft, goalie Martin Jones (traded to San Jose shortly after) and prospect Colin Miller.

Last season was the final year of a three-year, $18 million contract signed with Boston prior to the 2013-14 season.

The Vancouver native has 159 goals and 238 assists for 397 points over 647 career games with the Bruins and Kings. Lucic was selected in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.