The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Alex Laferrière to a three-year, $12.3 million contract agreement with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.1 million. The agreement will keep the 23-year-old winger in Los Angeles until the 2027-28 season.
Laferrière’s Breakout 2024–25 Campaign
Laferrière emerged as a reliable contributor in his second NHL season:
77 games played, career highs in 19 goals, 23 assists, and 42 points.
Offline impact: +22 plus/minus rating, four game-winning goals, 193 shots, 124 hits, and 43 blocked shots.
Average ice time of 16:32 per game, showing the coaching staff’s trust in his consistent contributions.
Overall, Laferrière has 31 goals and 34 assists (65 points) in 158 NHL games, with noticeable progress in all metrics.
Why This Deal Benefits Both Sides
Retaining Laferrière as a restricted free agent once his contract expires protects club control, avoiding the possibility of him becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Kings’ salary charge is reasonable at $4.1M, leaving them with ~$2.5-3M in residual cap room for potential roster adjustment.
Laferrière Gains Financial Security without Sacrificing Upside
His payment rises over three years, from around $3.5 million in year one to $4.4 million in following seasons.
The short-term nature allows Laferrière to take advantage of an anticipated greater salary cap situation by 2028, perhaps resulting in a larger deal during his peak.
What Laferrière Brings to the Kings’ Core
This dynamic top-nine winger can play with Quinton Byfield, Kevin Fiala, and Adrian Kempe. His regular usage in these combinations shown robust chemistry, which is predicted to continue.
A two-way style: scoring threat and physicality—124 hits and 43 blocked shots demonstrate his defensive effort.
Development Trajectory & Franchise Fit
Laferrière, a Harvard University graduate, was taken in the third round (83rd overall) in 2020 and has slowly ascended through the ranks, from the USHL to the AHL before making his NHL debut in October 2023.
He is now the fourth American-born Kings player to earn 15 goals and 40 points before turning 24, a feat not accomplished since Dustin Brown in 2007-08.
Financial and Roster Outlook
CapWages and PuckPedia estimate that the Kings will have around $2.7 million in cap space heading into the 2025-26 season.
Their roster of main players with signed contracts is now about complete, leaving Adrian Kempe as the most pressing potential extension prospect.
Season Outlook: Why This Extension Matters
This deal cements Laferrière as a mainstay for the upcoming Kings seasons:
Provides offensive reliability and competitive grit amid a young, rebuilding roster.
Ensures continuity while allowing the front office to focus on other key deals.
Positions the Kings to continue strategically developing around their young core without overcommitting long-term.
Final Takeaway
Alex Laferrière’s three-year, $12.3 million contract strikes the perfect balance of potential, affordability, and intelligent asset management. It recognizes his breakout season—42 points and team impact—and demonstrates confidence that his development is only beginning.
For the Kings, signing a guy who provides scoring, work ethic, and versatility at a low cap charge is a wise decision. For Laferrière, it provides immediate stability while keeping larger future contracts in mind—a cautious but optimistic next step in his NHL career.