Nicolas Deslauriers Bio
Nicolas Deslauriers is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL entry draft. His play has been described as a mix between an enforcer and a grinder.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 216 pounds, Deslauriers has built a reputation as a physical, hardworking forward who can change the momentum of a game with his forechecking and willingness to drop the gloves. Across more than a decade in professional hockey, he has suited up for the Los Angeles Kings organization, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Early Life and Background
Nicolas Deslauriers was born on February 22, 1991, in LaSalle, Quebec, to parents Penny and Stephane. His parents co-own a moving company in Quebec, and he grew up in a supportive family environment in the greater Montreal area. As a child, his favourite player was Bobby Orr because he was a defenceman, a detail that reflected his early love for the defensive side of the game.
Growing up, Deslauriers played both baseball and ice hockey, two sports that are deeply embedded in Canadian youth culture. After qualifying for the midget Triple-A team Châteauguay Patriotes, he dropped baseball and focused solely on ice hockey, a decision that set him on a clear path toward competitive development.
Path to Professional Hockey
Deslauriers played major junior ice hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Gatineau Olympiques. At the 2009 NHL entry draft, he was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. Following the draft, he was tied for 12th amongst league defencemen with 45 points through 65 regular season games, a strong offensive showing from the blue line.
He was traded to the Gatineau Olympiques prior to the 2010–11 QMJHL season in exchange for two draft picks. During the 2011 QMJHL playoffs, Deslauriers led all QMJHL defencemen in postseason scoring with 20 points, a stretch that helped convince NHL scouts he was ready for 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 subsequently assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. He made his professional debut with the Monarchs during the 2011–12 season and finished with 14 points through 65 games. Deslauriers began the following season with the Monarchs before being recalled to the NHL level on May 9, 2013.
During the 2013 off-season, Jack Ferreira, special assistant to the Kings general manager, suggested that Deslauriers become a full-time left winger. As such, he was asked to play the new position during training camp and recorded four goals during the preseason, a strong sign that the position change could unlock his offensive game.
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. He was originally sent down to the Rochester Americans, but injuries to the Sabres lineup earned him a quick recall. He subsequently made his NHL debut a few days later on March 7, in a 2–0 loss to the Florida Panthers.
In his second NHL game, Deslauriers played 12 minutes and 13 seconds of ice time and threw three hits. His play was praised by interim head coach Ted Nolan, who said: “You look at Deslauriers, for a young kid too, his second game in the National Hockey League, he competed out there. You can never go wrong when you have guys that love to compete.” He scored his first NHL goal on April 4, with 6:40 remaining in the third period in a 3–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Deslauriers lost nearly 20 pounds during the 2014 off-season and skated alongside Sam Reinhart during the preseason, working into a checking role with Cody McCormick and Patrick Kaleta. Having formally played as a defenceman, the 2014–15 season became Deslauriers’ first as a winger. He finished the season playing in all 82 games and tallying 15 points and 71 penalty minutes, while also finishing ninth in the league with 261 hits. As a result of his play, Deslauriers was voted the team’s Rookie of the Year.
On January 4, 2016, head coach Dan Bylsma announced that Deslauriers would miss three to six weeks while recovering from a lower body injury. After spending nearly a month recovering, Deslauriers returned to the Sabres lineup on February 3. He sustained a knee injury on October 30, 2016, that caused him to miss 19 games, limiting him to only 42 games during the 2016–17 season.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2017–2019)
On October 4, 2017, the opening day of the 2017–18 season, Deslauriers was traded by the Sabres to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Zach Redmond. Upon joining the team, he was assigned to the Laval Rocket, where he tallied three goals and five points in 14 games. On November 15, he was recalled to the NHL level and made his debut with the Canadiens in a 5–4 loss against the Arizona Coyotes.
He remained with the team through December, where he led the team with four goals through 11 games. He also led all NHL players with 54 hits, and ranked first on the team and tied for seventh in the league in goal differentials. In honour of his improved playing skills in December, Deslauriers earned the Molson Cup honour at the end of December 2017. Following this, he was promoted to play on the Canadiens’ top line with Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk. After playing in 36 games with the Canadiens, Deslauriers signed a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.9 million.
Deslauriers rejoined the Canadiens for their 2018–19 campaign, but during a preseason matchup against the New Jersey Devils on September 17, 2018, he suffered a facial fracture and was placed on the injured reserve. He returned to the lineup for Montreal’s game against the Ottawa Senators on October 20. On November 8, Deslauriers scored his first points of the 2018–19 season, when playing against his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, he assisted on a goal by Matthew Peca and scored a shorthanded goal of his own. He was unable to replicate his previous season offensive totals, contributing with just two goals and five points through 48 games.
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. Upon joining the team for the 2019–20 season, Deslauriers tallied seven points and 80 penalty minutes through 45 games by February 2020, and signed a two-year contract to remain with the Ducks organization. Following the contract signing, Deslauriers set the record for fastest hat trick in Ducks history after scoring all three goals in the first period. His third goal came at 11:49 in the first period of a 5–2 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Minnesota Wild Era (2022)
On March 19, 2022, just days before the trade deadline, Deslauriers was traded to the Minnesota Wild for a 2023 third-round pick, giving him a brief late-season stop before reaching free agency.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2022–Present)
As a free agent from the Wild, Deslauriers was signed to a four-year, $7 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 13, 2022. He joined a rebuilding Philadelphia roster looking to add toughness and veteran presence, and he has continued to deliver physical play and timely scoring since arriving.
Driving Style and Strengths
Deslauriers is known for his physical, north-south style of play, throwing his body along the boards and delivering punishing hits on the forecheck. While not a high-end natural scorer, he chips in offensively by going to the net hard, capitalizing on rebounds, and using a quick, accurate wrist shot from the circles. Coaches have consistently trusted him in checking roles, penalty-kill situations, and as a tone-setter early in games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Deslauriers’ career, his fastest hat trick in Anaheim Ducks history stands out as a signature moment, with all three goals coming within the opening 11 minutes and 49 seconds of a 5–2 win over the Ottawa Senators. He has also been recognized with team-level honours, including being voted the Buffalo Sabres’ Rookie of the Year for the 2014–15 season and earning the Molson Cup honour with the Montreal Canadiens in December 2017.
Nicolas Deslauriers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Deslauriers was raised by his parents, Penny and Stephane, in LaSalle, Quebec. His parents co-own a moving company in Quebec, and the family provided a stable foundation that allowed Nicolas to focus on his athletic development from a young age.
Personal Life
Deslauriers and his wife have four children together. He has a tattoo on the left arm saying “The future will be whatever you make it.” Off the ice, Deslauriers owns the XPN Centre in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, a training facility that reflects his commitment to the game beyond his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Nicolas Deslauriers continues to fill a veteran energy role for the Philadelphia Flyers, anchoring bottom-six lines and providing physicality on a nightly basis. His experience and willingness to defend teammates have made him a trusted voice in the locker room during a developmental phase for the club.
As a forward signed through 2026, Deslauriers remains under contract with the Flyers, contributing hits, penalty-kill minutes, and secondary scoring. The organization values his competitive edge and the standard he sets for younger players working to establish themselves at the NHL level.
Looking ahead through 2025, Deslauriers is expected to maintain his role as a physical, checking-line presence while occasionally jumping onto a scoring line when his line mates are generating offence. His mix of grit, leadership, and steady defensive responsibility should keep him in the Flyers’ regular rotation as the team continues its rebuild.