While the LA Kings have big decisions with their unrestricted free agents, like Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrei Kuzmenko, new general manager Ken Holland will also need to speak with Alex Laferriere. The former third-round pick is set to be a restricted free agent, which certainly helps the Kings but is not a guarantee he will be returning next season.
As a restricted free agent, as long as the Kings extend a qualifying offer, Los Angeles has a chance to match any offer sheet he might receive during free agency. If the Kings do not match that offer sheet, depending on the average annual value, the Kings would receive draft picks as compensation from whoever signs Laferriere.
However, for a team that is trying to get better this offseason, the goal would be to bring back Laferriere. He is coming off a career season with 19 goals and 23 assists and averaged over 16:30 minutes of ice time.
Tyson Foerster's contract extension with Flyers should be framework for LA Kings with Alex Laferriere
Recently, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Tyson Foerster to a two-year contract extension worth $7.5 million. This is good news for the Kings as Foerster was also set to be a restricted free agent and is comparable to Laferriere.
Over the past two seasons, Foerster has had 83 points (which is 18 more than Laferriere) and is a little better of a goal scorer while a little stronger defensively. When the Kings begin contract discussions, this should be the ceiling of what a new deal could be.
While the Kings could try to sign Laferriere long-term, if they believe he can grow into a bigger role, the more logical path would be a bridge contract like the one Foerster signed with the Flyers. If the Kings want to bring him back, this is a deal that they should try to get done before free agency.