Kings’ Alex Laferriere Taking Charge With Big Responsibility
When the Los Angeles Kings lost captain Anze Kopitar to retirement, Quinton Byfield stepped up as the next man up at first-line center.
When he got injured, the Kings had a temporary lapse in who would fill that spot.
Enter Alex Laferriere; right winger is his usual position, but he filled the first-line center role and didn’t look out of place during Byfield’s absence, before he returned in last night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Do the Kings have something here or is it too early to tell?
The Kings drafted Laferriere in the third round (#83) in the 2020 NHL Draft and saw his first NHL action during the 2023-24 season, posting 23 points in 81 games. The following season, he nearly doubled his point total to 42 in fewer games (77). Last season, he set a career high with 44 points on 21 goals and 23 assists in 82 games, raising his point total every season he played. He has shown he can be offensively productive, and he can be available, missing only six games in his first three full NHL seasons.
The Kings noticed his progress, and so did management. His hard work. His hustle. His increase in points. His feisty playing style. He was a young player who knew what he had to do, and it was paying off. His promotion to first-line center shouldn’t surprise anyone. He is not only one of the hardest-working Kings players, but he is versatile and can contribute anywhere in the lineup.
His resurgence at the center position is something the Kings need. While playing between Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin, he had nine points in 10 games before going scoreless last night. This production is similar to what they expect from Byfield.
Laferriere has also shown a better passing game, and it helps to play with a sniper like Kempe and an all-around player like Panarin.
While the promotion to top-line center was a short stay, one thing we do know is that he built confidence in his overall game and his ability to produce offensively,
Laferriere may not have been the fans’ first choice when Byfield went down, but they have to be happy with the results. He is out there having fun, helping the team win, and showing the coaching staff he can be counted on in crucial situations. His development has been top-notch, and it has not only improved his game but also elevated his linemates’. He plays every shift like it is his last and feeds off his teammates’ energy.
He is signed through the 2027-28 season, and if the three years of NHL experience are any indication of what is in store, this 24-year-old from Chatham, New Jersey, is sure to become an all-time favorite of the Kings faithful.
He goes above and beyond to make sure the team plays well and, even in losses, he performs better than expected.
Laferriere is a prototype Kings player who should be a Kings player for life.
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Categorized:Kings