November 13, 2024 | 1:12pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

LAFERRIERE, KINGS NOT FOCUSED ON NEXT CONTRACT

Alex Lafe

Alex Laferriere is off to a great start to the 2024-25 season, having collected 17 points in his first 15 games of the campaign.

The 23-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer, but neither he nor the team is putting attention towards his next deal just yet.

In Tuesday’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP, David Pagnotta and Dennis Bernstein joined Kate Pettersen and discussed Laferriere’s status with the club.

According to Pagnotta, Laferriere’s performance thus far has put the team on notice, but contract talks aren’t on the horizon.

“Certainly, (the Kings) have to be cognizant of the fact that this kid is playing at a tremendous pace and doing well up at top minutes. Yeah, he is due for a contract. He’s going to be restricted for agent next summer. I can tell you they haven’t had any discussions to this point on an extension. It’s a little bit too premature from that side of things,” Pagnotta said.

“I think the focus is, let this kid play. Give him the ice time. Let him play. Let him build his confidence. Let him build on the start of the season and see if he can remain consistent offensively.”

Bernstein concurred and indicated that from the Kings’ perspective, he “wouldn’t be too concerned about what the number is for Alex” on his next contract.

“Nobody at the start of the season had him at any point in time being their leading goal-scorer on their bingo card. Right,” Bernstein stated. “He’s on pace for 46 goals. He’s not a 46-goal scorer, but he’s improved his shot. He goes to the net. He gets traffic. He’s aggressive. He’s the type of player that they have drafted and developed, but nobody really had them on their radar.

“They’re not gonna go overboard for Alex LaFerriere, they shouldn’t, but they should be thankful he’s producing the goals because this team is an average offensive team right now, he’s leading the way.

“He just has to keep playing and keep producing and he’ll get paid fairly.”