The Los Angeles Kings are preparing for the possibility of losing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to unrestricted free agency on July 1. General manager Ken Holland confirmed Saturday that a deal is unlikely before the market opens.
“We’ve had continued conversations with his camp,” Holland said. “But at this point, we’re not expecting a deal to get done before free agency opens.”
That doesn’t mean the Kings haven’t tried. Holland revealed that the team has made multiple offers to retain the 29-year-old blue liner.
Los Angeles Kings Bracing for Vladislav Gavrikov’s Departure as Free Agency Nears
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“Rob Blake had made an offer, and I went beyond that offer,” he said. “We’re continuing to talk. I made another offer, so we’ll see.”
Gavrikov is coming off a career-best season, logging over 23 minutes per game while posting 30 points and a +26 rating. His steady two-way play and penalty-killing ability made him a key piece of the Kings’ top four.
However, league insiders believe the New York Rangers are a strong contender to land him if he departs. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that Gavrikov’s list of preferred destinations is short — with New York at the top.
“The door hasn’t closed on Gavrikov in L.A.,” said ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, “but I’ve heard a lot of rumors that he could go elsewhere — to the Rangers to play with Adam Fox.”
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Gavrikov could command a seven-year deal worth nearly $8 million annually, a significant commitment for the Kings or any other suitor.
If Gavrikov walks, the Kings will be left with a significant hole on the blue line — one made larger by Saturday’s draft-day trade that sent young righty Jordan Spence to Ottawa. Names like Ivan Provorov, Ryan Lindgren, and Dmitry Orlov are on the market but offer varying degrees of downgrade.
A possible sign-and-trade with the Rangers for K’Andre Miller has been floated, though it would require tight cap maneuvering. Either way, the Kings appear to be entering July 1 with uncertainty at two key defensive positions — and limited time to fill them.