Extending Alex Laferriere's tenure with the Kings for another three years.
Los Angeles Kings Secure Alex Laferriere and Begin Contract Negotiations with Adrian Kempe
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move in their roster by signing young forward Alex Laferriere to a new three-year contract worth $12.3 million. The deal was announced on Tuesday, with Laferriere set to join the team for the upcoming season.
Laferriere, who turned 23 this year, established himself as a reliable goal scorer in his second NHL season, scoring 19 goals and registering 42 points in 77 games. His impressive performance earned him a well-deserved contract extension.
Meanwhile, the Kings have begun contract extension negotiations with Adrian Kempe, a 28-year-old Swedish forward who is set to enter the final year of his current four-year deal worth $5.5 million annually. Kempe's camp is reportedly seeking a significant pay raise, with market speculation suggesting a contract potentially valued up to $80 million over seven years.
Kempe has been a valuable asset to the Kings, and his importance to the club's future is evident. General Manager Ken Holland has expressed a clear desire to keep Kempe with the Kings, actively negotiating with Kempe's agent, JP Barry. However, the contract value and length remain key points to negotiate given Kempe's performance and market demand.
Laferriere's new contract comes after the Kings' new GM Ken Holland addressed his top offseason priority. Holland has shown a keen interest in retaining key players, with Laferriere and Kempe at the forefront.
In the 2020 NHL Draft, Laferriere was selected by the Kings in the third round. He primarily played on the right wing and has played a total of 158 career games in the NHL. Throughout his career, Laferriere has scored 31 goals and registered 65 points.
The negotiations with Kempe are ongoing, with both parties aiming to finalize a deal before the upcoming season. The Kings will be hoping to secure Kempe's services for the long term, given his standing as one of the team's top players.
As the new season approaches, the Kings are looking strong with both Laferriere and Kempe in their roster. Fans can expect an exciting season ahead as the team continues to build on their success.
The newly signed contract of Alex Laferriere, a promising young forward, highlights the Kings' focus on strengthening their roster for the upcoming NHL season, particularly in sports like hockey. Meanwhile, Adrian Kempe, who has been a crucial part of the Kings' success, is currently in contract negotiations, with both parties aiming for a deal that could potentially see him contributing to the NHL and the Kings for the next seven years.
