Vladislav Gavrikov signs two-year extension with Los Angeles Kings
The next domino has fallen. Vladislav Gavrikov has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings following the complex three-way deal involving the Philadelphia Flyers, Colombus Blue Jackets and Kings Tuesday. The extension will be for two years, $11.75 million in total, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported Wednesday.
Word is this is 2x$5.875M https://t.co/vFGfPAmqgd
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 7, 2023
Obviously, the Kings got what they wanted. They could have probably gone for more term with Gavrikov, 27, but they now have a short-term deal and flexibility as a result.
Despite failing to get out of the first round against the Oilers again, the former Blue Jacket will continue to be an important part of this blue line. Everything in consideration, this was actually a pretty good deal. Check out more from JFresh:
Vladislav Gavrikov, signed 2x$5.875M by LA, is a top pairing two-way defenceman who kills penalties. Played extremely well down the stretch for the Kings and had a strong track record of good results in matchup minutes. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/8AXRHKASKg
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 7, 2023
Gavrikov does his job very well; he’s perfectly capable of staying at home on his own end while chipping in offensively while also being a very good penalty killer. If I were the Kings, I would have to feel better about my chances in 2024 as long as I don’t run into Edmonton or Vegas in the first round.
The only issue now is finding a replacement for Sean Walker, who is now on the Flyers. Unless they want a 37-year-old Alex Edler to be eating up lots of minutes, I would have to think this is something they target in free agency.
Los Angeles did not do a bad job on this contract. It is certainly not an overpay, but they will now risk Gavrikov becoming a free agent once again at age-29. There are desperate teams out there who will probably offer $6-plus million down the road. But again, that’s a down-the-road problem.
Maybe the Kings deserve a little less heat for the BS they pulled yesterday, but we need to wait until the 2023-24 season starts.
The Kings just locked up one of the better defensemen who was scheduled to be a free agent. While they appeared to have given up a lot to make it happen, it’s now time to see if it will pay off or not. For Vladislav Gavrikov, he will continue playing an important role in a team trying to take the next step.
