This article will be another in my series of player profiles, where I review the season of every player on the Los Angeles Kings. This piece will focus on Alex Iafallo.
Statistically, this was the best season of Iafallo’s career. He scored 17 goals and 43 points in 70 games this year, a pace of 20 goals and 50 points per 82 games. He was playing nearly 19 minutes per game, the second-most minutes of any Kings forward, behind only Anze Kopitar. It was an increase of more than two minutes per game from the 2018-19 season and Iafallo also played nearly 2:30 per game on the power play and 1:30 per game on the penalty kill. He had a 51.3 corsi for percentage, despite playing against the most difficult competition of any Kings’ forward, according to Hockey Abstract. He also had the second-highest goals for percentage of any Kings forward, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
Part of the reason for Iafallo’s increase in production was his larger role. In each of the last two seasons before this year, he had less than 35 points. So long as he continues to play in a large role, I’d imagine he’ll be able to replicate his 20 goals and 50 points (per 82) from this season. However, once the Kings’ top prospects start making their way into the NHL, there’s a good chance Iafallo slides down into a middle-six role and starts to get less time on the power play at some point.
As for Iafallo’s future with the Kings, he’s on an expiring contract and I’d say his long-term future in Los Angeles is pretty up in the air. A little while ago, I wrote an article detailing my reasoning as to why the Kings could trade Iafallo at the deadline next season and I still think if they get a good return, they should strongly consider moving him. He’ll be turning 28 years old in the first season of his new contract and if he can score around 50 points once again, it’s certainly possible to get back a first round pick.
Until then, however, he remains one of the best forwards on the Kings and will certainly take on a large role once again next season.
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Here’s today’s poll question (results and discussion will be posted in a future article):
Do you think 50 points (per 82) is sustainable production for Iafallo?
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