New LA Kings Defenseman to Test Free Agency

The Los Angeles Kings were busy ahead of the trade deadline as GM Rob Blake wanted to give his team the best chances to win, even if it meant blind siding Kings legend Jonathan Quick. The Kings brought up defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov in the infamous Quick deal and from the sounds of it, want to keep the versatile defenseman around long term.

Rumor has Blake and the Kings opened up the conversation about signing long term with the Kings and Gavrikov admitted he was going to wait and test free agency. The 27-year-old d-man is a pending unrestricted free agent who is coming off a three-year $8.4 million deal from the Blue Jackets. He'll certainly fetch a hefty raise on the open market.

Vladislav Gavrikov’s first two games with LA:

• 65.28% Corsi
• 67.73% expected goal share
• 16-5 high danger chances

Kings are outshooting opponents 30-12 with him on the ice.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 5, 2023

So far in his two games with the Kings, Gavrikov has been lights out on both sides of the puck and has impressed. LA is in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference and with some sound goaltending could be a tough team to beat.

Here's some early footage of what Kings fans can expect more of from Gavrikov:

This shift from last night perfectly illustrates Vladislav Gavrikov’s game.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/gvfQNBoFw0
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 3, 2023