The June 1st deadline to sign many prospects across the league is fast approaching and in the coming days, several players should sign entry-level deals with their respective teams. One of those is forward Kaleb Lawrence as CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that the Kings have signed him to a three-year contract. The deal carries an AAV of $852.5K and breaks down as follows:
2024-25: $775K base salary, $77.5K signing bonus, $82.5K AHL salary
2025-26: $775K base salary, $77.5K signing bonus, $82.5K AHL salary
2026-27: $775K base salary, $77.5K signing bonus, $82.5K AHL salary
The 21-year-old was a seventh-round pick by Los Angeles back in 2022 with the Kings opting to take a late flyer on a 6’7 forward after playing in just two games in the previous two seasons combined due to injury and COVID-19 wiping out the 2020-21 OHL campaign. After being picked, Lawrence had a decent showing with Owen Sound, collecting 16 goals and 21 assists in 50 games.
Lawrence was then moved to Ottawa in the offseason and produced at a similar rate this season, collecting 10 goals and eight helpers in 30 games before being traded to London in January. With the Knights, he added 10 goals and nine assists in 28 regular season contests before adding nine more points in eight playoff appearances. His season hasn’t come to an end yet either even after the OHL championship as he’ll take part in the Memorial Cup which begins on Friday.
Given his age, Lawrence will be too old to return to the junior level next season. Instead, he’ll get his feet wet in the pros, either with AHL Ontario or ECHL Greenville.