12:45pm: Iafallo is now off the market, officially signing a four-year extension. The contract will be worth $4MM per season, totaling $16MM for the Kings’ winger.
10:08am: One of the more intriguing names that has been involved in trade speculation as of late is Kings forward Alex Iafallo. A few days ago, it looked as if the two sides weren’t going to be able to agree on a contract extension but that may be changing as Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that the two sides have closed the gap and are making progress on getting a new deal done.
The 27-year-old has largely gone under the radar but has been one of the top college free agent signings in recent memory. After spending his first two seasons in a middle-six role, Iafallo spent most of 2019-20 on the top line and that has continued this year. As a result, he’s averaging over 20 minutes a night for the first time in his career while picking up 11 goals and 14 assists in 39 games to be tied for third in team scoring.
Iafallo is in the final season of a two-year, $4.85MM contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer which has made today somewhat of a deadline to get a deal done as if it doesn’t happen, Los Angeles may be inclined to turn around and trade him. With his emergence as a key cog for the Kings, he’s certainly well-positioned to land a considerable raise on his $2.425MM AAV.
Rather have a 22’ first rounder
If the Kings make a big acquisition in the off season at LW, Iafallo will be a huge asset bumping down a line going forward. Would make them competitive a lot faster than a late first.
Hope so man! Either way just want kings good again
It’s a fair deal. Was hoping it would be a bit under $4 mil a year but this works.
Here’s one thing I don’t understand. If they are close on a deal, why not just agree to have a handshake deal and revisit in in July after he’s traded. Give Iafallo a chance to win a cup and add an asset or two that will help them down the road. That way they’d have Iafallo for four years still, and other pieces that could help them win. It’s not like they can go on a hot streak and make the playoffs this year because of him.
Well since he signed for 4 years and with the great young talent the Kings have coming up starting next year they will be a contender moving forward.
I have no doubt they are close. But give him up for three months, sign him back in the summer, and have the additional picks and prospects to either trade or use.
In theory this makes sense and has worked out for teams in the past, but theres so much behind the scenes that could work against it. Maybe the Kings just weren’t getting the right assets to make it worth it. What if the player enjoys playing in Tampa or Toronto or Vegas so much they just decide they’d rather not. Or the allure of testing the free agent market for the first time, especially if they tear it up with their new team and in the playoffs. And I wonder if some players are just not open to uprooting everything for a few months, especially this year. With all the COVID uncertainty and quarantines, I think it would probably be tough to sell that arrangement to players.
This is the max AAV I would be okay with. Anything more would have been an overpay. Overall, I like the signing. He’s improved every year so far and even though he’s probably better suited for a middle-six spot, he’s held his own on the top line for three years now. The big question is, though; if a legit top-line player is signed or acquired and Iafallo moves down the lineup, will he be able to maintain or even improve production when he’s not with Kopitar? Does someone like Vilardi or Byfield bring out the best of him like Kopi can? Regardless, I don’t hate this move. Another 1st rounder would have been nice, but keeping a young player is good, too.
Overpaid
@ Kscheer
He plays 20 minutes a game, on pace for 50 points if it were a normal season and he has improved his offensive numbers every year. He’s a good two way defender also. It’s a fair deal. If he is overpaid it is maybe $250K to $500K a year overpaid.
Great deal for Alex & Kings! If Blake is done, try out these line combos. 1) Anthony A – Kopitar – Brown… 2) Iaffallo – Valardi – Kempe… 3) Grundstrom – Dolan – Moore ..3) Lemieux – Lizzotte – Wagner.
Next year kings could be scary team. Just need to add to their D core