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Alex Laferriere eligible to make his NHL debut tonight vs. Canucks

By Cameron Franck

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 6: Alex Laferriere #18 of the Harvard Crimson skates against the Boston College Eagles during NCAA hockey in the semifinals of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 6, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Crimson won 4-3 in overtime on a goal with 1.5 seconds remaining. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 6: Alex Laferriere #18 of the Harvard Crimson skates against the Boston College Eagles during NCAA hockey in the semifinals of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 6, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Crimson won 4-3 in overtime on a goal with 1.5 seconds remaining. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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Yesterday, the speculation around right winger Alex Laferriere finally came to fruition as he officially inked his entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

His three-year entry-level contract is worth $2.625 million dollars and will make him a restricted free agent at the end of the 2024-2025 season. Because he is 21 years old, his ELC does not slide to the following year, so even though he will only be available for two regular season games with the Kings this season, plus the playoffs, the entire first year of his contract will be burned up.

For more clarification on how this happens, here are the ELC slide rules explained:

"“The length of the ELC depends on the age of the player. Here is a breakdown of the contract length:18-21 years of age: 3 years22-23 years of age: 2 years24 years of age: 1 yearThe NHL is different from other professional leagues in the fact that just because a player signs an entry-level contract, does not mean they are immediately playing for an organization. The NHL has what is called an “entry-level slide.” If a player signs his entry-level contract and is either 18 or 19 years old before September 15 of the signing year and does not play 10 games in the NHL that season, their entry-level contract is extended by one year.”"

The 6-foot New Jersey native signed his entry-level contract eleven days after his amateur tryout with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, Ontario Reign. As a member of the Reign, he appeared in four games and finished with one point. The point was a goal against the Abbotsford Canucks on April 7th, in which the Canucks won 4-3 in overtime.

Now Laferriere is eligible to debut at the NHL level tonight in the Kings’ home finale against the Vancouver Canucks.

Per LA Kings Insider, Zach Dooley, if Alex Laferriere does suit up tonight for the Kings, he will wear the No. 78. While on the Reign, he wore No. 28, and while at Harvard, he wore No. 18. It appears he has an affinity for the number eight to some degree.

Could he notch his first AHL point against the Abbotsford Canucks and his first NHL point against the Vancouver Canucks? It’s certainly possible. Tune in tonight for the Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks matchup at 7:30 PM PST.

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