Nicolas Deslauriers Bio
Nicolas Deslauriers is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger known for his physical, hardworking style of play. He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his career, his game has been described as a mix between an enforcer and a grinder.
Born and raised in Quebec, Deslauriers developed through the Canadian junior system before transitioning to a role as a checking forward in the National Hockey League (NHL). He has suited up for several organizations across both conferences, building a reputation as a relentless competitor and a respected teammate in every locker room he has joined.
Early Life and Background
Nicolas Deslauriers was born on February 22, 1991, in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a supportive household, with his parents Penny and Stephane raising him in the Montreal area. His parents co-own a moving company in Quebec, and that family business has remained a part of his personal history. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 218 pounds, Deslauriers developed the size and strength that would later define his professional career.
As a child, Deslauriers played both baseball and ice hockey, showing early athletic ability in multiple sports. After qualifying for the midget Triple-A team Châteauguay Patriotes, he chose to drop baseball and focus solely on ice hockey. His favorite player growing up was Bobby Orr, and he was inspired by Orr’s skill as a defenceman, a position Deslauriers himself played during his formative years.
Path to Hockey
Deslauriers pursued his hockey development through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), one of Canada’s premier junior circuits. He suited up for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies before being traded to the Gatineau Olympiques in exchange for two draft picks prior to the 2010–11 QMJHL season. At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, his combination of size, skating, and two-way play convinced the Los Angeles Kings to select him 84th overall in the third round.
Following his draft year, Deslauriers continued to develop offensively in the QMJHL. During the 2011 QMJHL playoffs, he led all QMJHL defencemen in postseason scoring with 20 points, showcasing the playmaking ability that complemented his physical tools. His strong finish in junior hockey set the stage for his transition to the professional ranks.
Nicolas Deslauriers Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
On May 31, 2011, the Los Angeles Kings signed Deslauriers to a three-year, entry-level contract. He was assigned to the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, where he made his professional debut during the 2011–12 season, finishing with 14 points through 65 games. He began the following season with the Monarchs before being recalled briefly to the NHL level in May 2013.
Although Deslauriers had played as a defenceman throughout his junior career, his path to the NHL required a position change. During the 2013 off-season, Jack Ferreira, special assistant to the Kings’ general manager, suggested that Deslauriers become a full-time left winger. He embraced the switch during training camp and recorded four preseason goals, signaling a new chapter in his professional development.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2014–2017)
On March 5, 2014, Deslauriers was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with Hudson Fasching, in exchange for defenceman Brayden McNabb, Jonathan Parker, and two draft picks. After a brief stint with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, injuries to the Sabres’ lineup earned him a quick recall, and he made his NHL debut on March 7, 2014, in a 2–0 loss to the Florida Panthers. He scored his first NHL goal on April 4, 2014, in a 3–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
The 2014–15 season marked Deslauriers’ first full NHL campaign, and he finished the year playing all 82 games, tallying 15 points and 71 penalty minutes. He finished ninth in the league with 261 hits and was voted the Sabres’ Rookie of the Year. Despite a lower-body injury in 2015–16 and a knee injury that limited him to 42 games in 2016–17, he remained a physical presence in Buffalo for three full seasons.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2017–2019)
On October 4, 2017, the Buffalo Sabres traded Deslauriers to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Zach Redmond. After a brief assignment to the Laval Rocket, where he tallied three goals and five points in 14 games, he was recalled to the NHL and made his Canadiens debut on November 15, 2017, against the Arizona Coyotes. He led the team with four goals through his first 11 games and led all NHL players with 54 hits, eventually earning the Molson Cup honour for his play in December 2017.
Following his strong start in Montreal, Deslauriers signed a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.9 million. The 2018–19 season was cut short by a preseason facial fracture, and he finished with just two goals and five points through 48 games. Despite the limited offensive output, his physical presence remained a steady contribution.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2019–2022)
On June 30, 2019, Deslauriers was traded by the Canadiens to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2020 fourth-round draft pick. He quickly found his footing with the Ducks, tallying seven points and 80 penalty minutes through 45 games by February 2020, and signed a two-year contract extension to remain in the organization. In a memorable performance, he set the Ducks’ record for the fastest hat trick in franchise history, scoring all three goals in the first period of a 5–2 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Deslauriers continued to provide energy, physicality, and veteran leadership for Anaheim through the 2021–22 season. His consistent work along the boards and on the penalty kill made him a trusted bottom-six forward for the Ducks.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2022–2026)
After a brief stint with the Minnesota Wild following a March 19, 2022 trade, Deslauriers signed a four-year, $7 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 13, 2022. He brought his trademark physicality and penalty-killing ability to the Flyers, anchoring a checking-line role in Philadelphia. His presence helped set a tone for the team across multiple seasons in the Metropolitan Division.
Deslauriers remained a reliable depth forward in Philadelphia until March 6, 2026, when he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. Carolina ultimately won the Stanley Cup in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final three months later. During the team’s championship parade in Raleigh, Deslauriers signed a two-year contract extension on June 20.
Driving Style and Strengths
Deslauriers plays a north-south, physical game centered on forechecking, board play, and finishing checks. He is regarded as a reliable penalty killer and a dependable bottom-six presence who can chip in offensively when given the opportunity. His shift from defenceman to left winger early in his NHL career also gave him a defensive awareness uncommon among forwards.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Deslauriers’ career came with the Anaheim Ducks, when he set the franchise record for the fastest hat trick in team history, scoring three goals in the first period against the Ottawa Senators. He was also recognized as the Buffalo Sabres’ Rookie of the Year in 2014–15, finished ninth in the NHL with 261 hits that same season, and earned the Molson Cup honour with the Montreal Canadiens in December 2017. In 2026, he added a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes to his career resume.
Nicolas Deslauriers Career Wins
Nicolas Deslauriers has compiled a lengthy NHL career defined less by goal totals and more by physicality, penalty killing, and longevity. While he is not primarily a point producer, he has delivered key goals, timely hits, and postseason contributions across multiple organizations, capped by a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2026.
NHL Highlights
Deslauriers made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on March 7, 2014, and scored his first NHL goal on April 4, 2014, against the Detroit Red Wings. His most prolific offensive stretch came in December 2017 with the Montreal Canadiens, when he scored four goals in his first 11 games with the club and led all NHL players with 54 hits that month. He set the Anaheim Ducks’ record for the fastest hat trick in franchise history and, most recently, won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2026.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NHL, Deslauriers enjoyed a productive junior career in the QMJHL with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Gatineau Olympiques, where he led all QMJHL defencemen in postseason scoring with 20 points during the 2011 QMJHL playoffs. He also contributed in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs, Rochester Americans, and Laval Rocket, providing physicality and steady two-way play at every stop.
Nicolas Deslauriers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Deslauriers comes from a close-knit family rooted in Quebec. His parents, Penny and Stephane, co-own a moving company in the province, and their support helped shape his path in hockey. The family ties to LaSalle, his hometown, have remained an important part of his identity throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Nicolas Deslauriers and his wife have four children together. He has a tattoo on his left arm that reads, “The future will be whatever you make it.” Off the ice, he once owned the XPN Centre in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, though the business later went bankrupt.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 NHL season, Deslauriers continued in his familiar role as a physical, defensive forward with the Philadelphia Flyers. He provided energy on the penalty kill, delivered key hits, and served as a stabilizing veteran presence in the Flyers’ bottom six. His leadership in the locker room remained a consistent asset for the organization.
While offensive production was not the primary measure of his value, Deslauriers continued to log regular shifts and contribute on specialty units. His staying power through a long NHL career underscored the trust coaches placed in his work ethic and his willingness to play a hard, honest brand of hockey.
Looking ahead, Deslauriers’ experience and physicality positioned him as a valuable depth forward for any contender. His track record of fitting into checking roles made him a player teams could rely on during the grind of an NHL schedule, and his career trajectory suggested continued opportunity at the highest level.
