The fourth season: Dennis Bernstein and David Pagnotta on 'The Latest' talk about the Los Angeles Kings pending RFA Alex Laferriere and if they will be looking to sign him to a contract extension after his hot start to the season.
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Kate Pettersen: “A lot of surprises have come out this season. I think another one we should talk about is Alex Laferriere. You know, we're in the quarterfinals, and already last season, 23 points in 81 games. He now has 15 points in 19 games, and he just turned 23 last month.
What do you guys think? Is it too early to start a conversation about a contract extension with the way he has been playing?”
Pagnotta: “Well, it's going to be on LA's radar. Of course, they should be aware of the fact that this kid plays at a high speed and performs well, with high minutes.
Now, yes, you are waiting for a contract. He will be a restricted free agent next summer. I'm telling you, they haven't had any discussions so far about the extension. It's a little too early from that side of things.
I think the focus is, let this kid play. Give him ice time, let him play, let him build his confidence. Let him build at the beginning of the season and see if he can stay attacking. He doesn't have to put up nearly a game, but can he keep up the pace?
DB, you see him every night. What did he bring to the table that made him leave, that made the team, and Rob Blake leave, he may be someone we will worry about in the long run, but let's not push it too soon.”
Bernstein: “Well, nobody at the start of the season had him at any point as top scorer on their bingo card, did they? So he is extremely successful. Look, he's in the 46-goal category, he's not a 46-goal guy.
But you have improved the gun. You go online, you get traffic. He seems angry. He's the type of player that they developed and developed, but no one really had on their radar. I think he's a fourth round pick out of Harvard.
The saving grace is at the end of the ELC, but it is limited without arbitration rights. So they will have control. They will pay him about a few million.
And that's one thing you might want to criticize Rob Blake for movies like Dubois and stuff like that. But, but guys, they have a long time like Mikey Anderson, like Adrian Kempe, like Quentin Byfield. They're not bargain prices, right? I mean they, you did a good job paying these guys the right amount.
So they won't pass on Alex Lafarriere. He shouldn't, but they should appreciate that he is producing goals because this team is an attacking team at the moment. You are leading the way.
So I wouldn't worry too much about the number being Alex's. He has to keep playing and keep producing, and he will lead in the right way.”
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