Athletes Kings and Alex Laferriere reach an accordance on a three-year contract worth a whopping $12.3 million dollars.
Los Angeles Kings Secure Alex Laferriere and Kickstart Adrian Kempe Contract Talks
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move in their offseason plans, securing forward Alex Laferriere to a new three-year deal worth $12.3 million. Laferriere, a key member of the team's young core, has played 158 games for the Kings, scoring 31 goals and 34 assists.
Laferriere, who is just 23 years old, largely played on the right wing alongside center Quinton Byfield and high-scoring Kevin Fiala last season. In the 2023-24 campaign, he notched 19 goals and 23 assists for the Kings.
With this new contract, Laferriere has moved past his entry-level deal and is now a restricted free agent. The Kings announced the deal, which comes as a relief for General Manager Ken Holland, who has taken care of his most pressing summer contract issues.
Meanwhile, the Kings have initiated contract extension talks with Adrian Kempe, another key forward for the team. Kempe, heading into the final season of his current contract, is expected to command a significant pay raise, possibly around $10 million or more annually. The extension could be a long-term deal reflecting his importance to the team, with some projections estimating a total value in the $64 million to $80 million range over several years.
Kempe's strong recent performance, including a 75-point season in 2023-24, underlines his value to the Kings' lineup. The contract negotiation is a priority as the team seeks to maintain its core talent to make deeper playoff runs. However, the Kings have indicated they may only be able to re-sign either Kempe or veteran Anze Kopitar, suggesting tough decisions about salary cap commitments ahead.
Holland has expressed optimism that Kempe wants to stay in Los Angeles, and both sides aim to finalize the deal before the 2025-26 season begins. The Kings' focus now shifts to securing Kempe's future with the team, as they continue to build a strong and competitive roster for the upcoming seasons.
[1] Los Angeles Times: "Los Angeles Kings sign forward Alex Laferriere to three-year, $12.3-million deal" [2] ESPN: "Los Angeles Kings sign Alex Laferriere to three-year deal" [3] Sportsnet: "Los Angeles Kings prioritize re-signing Adrian Kempe as contract talks heat up" [4] The Athletic: "Kings, Adrian Kempe begin contract extension talks amidst salary cap challenges"
The Los Angeles Kings have secured forward Alex Laferriere, adding a key player to their hockey roster in California's NHL scene, as reported by numerous sports outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, ESPN, Sportsnet, and The Athletic.
Now that Laferriere has agreed to a new contract, the Kings face a new challenge in negotiations with Adrian Kempe, aiming to retain another integral forward.
With Laferriere now a restricted free agent on a $12.3 million contract, the focus shifts to maintaining Kempe, whose strong performance and upcoming free agency could command a significant pay raise.
