The Los Angeles Kings have locked up one of their rising stars, signing Alex Laferriere to a deal worth $12.3 million over three years.
The 24-year-old right winger will earn $4.1 million per season, with the contract starting at $3.5 million in year one before jumping to $4.4 million in each of the final two years.
It’s a well-deserved payday for Laferriere, who’s coming off a breakout season. He put up 19 goals and 42 points in 77 games – nearly doubling his rookie year numbers.
But it’s not just about scoring. The young forward showed he can play a complete game, finishing with an impressive +22 rating while dishing out 124 hits and blocking 43 shots.
He averaged over 16 minutes of ice time per night and even chipped in three assists during the Kings’ playoff run.
For a third-round pick, Laferriere has been quite the find for Los Angeles. The Kings grabbed him 83rd overall in the 2020 draft, and he’s already exceeding expectations.
The New Jersey native took an interesting path to the NHL. He spent two years lighting it up at Harvard, where he racked up 73 points in 69 games. After a brief stop in the minors with the Ontario Reign, he was ready for the big show.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Laferriere has the size to handle the NHL’s physical play. He proved that in his rookie season, appearing in 81 games and putting up 12 goals and 23 points.
The Kings must be thrilled with his development. After watching him double his point total last season, there’s plenty of reason to think he’s just getting started.
The deal, which came exactly one month after the Kings’ initial qualifying offer, looks like it could be a bargain if Laferriere continues his upward trajectory.
