While the Los Angeles Kings are still finalizing their next general manager, there was some reporting that whoever that might be, but fans also need to take note in terms of restricted free agents. On Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman with Sportsnet reported the different thresholds in terms of compensation for restricted free agents who sign offer sheets this free agency.
This is important for the Los Angeles Kings for one reason and that is they have a player who could garner interest as a restricted free agent. The Kings have a notable restricted free agent this offseason in Alex Laferriere, who continued to improve his second season in the NHL.
The Kings will need to extend a qualifying offer to keep Laferriere a restricted free agent, which seems almost to be a guarantee at this point and a no-brainer. If the Kings do that, Laferriere could still leave in free agency if another team signs him to an offer sheet and this is where fans need to take note.
Los Angeles Kings could get decent draft compensation if Alex Laferriere were to sign offer sheet
If the Kings do not match the offer sheet, that team would have to potentially send a draft pick to Los Angeles. They range from a third round pick, if the AAV is between to $1.54 million and $2.34 million, all the way up to four first-round picks if Laferriere signs an offer sheet over $11.7 million.
While the Kings would certainly not match an AAV over $11 million, there is not a team that is out there that would offer that type of deal. The most likely scenario would be an offer sheet that would return a second round pick with an AAV between $2.34 million and $4.68 million.
The Kings definitely don't want to lose Laferriere and that type of salary, the Kings probably would match. However, if not bringing back a second round pick would be a good return.
Unless it is some surprising offer sheet, the LA Kings likely are going to match and make sure Alex Laferriere is back in Los Angeles next season.