3 UFA Replacements For Gavrikov If He Leaves Kings

3 left-shot UFA D-men the Kings could target as replacements if Gavrikov leaves the Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are coming off a great regular season in 2024-25, but another playoff disappointment has them looking at some changes. New GM Ken Holland could be ready to spend a huge chunk of his hefty cap space on a big fish in the free agent market. But where does that leave pending UFA Vladislav Gavrikov?

The 29-year-old left-shot D-man registered a plus/minus rating of +26 this season, while logging over 23 minutes of ice time per night along with a career high of 140 blocked shots. AFP Analytics projects Gavrikov's next deal to come in at seven years with a $7.6 million cap hit.

Originally thought to be a slam dunk to return, that’s in question now, according to insider Elliotte Friedman. So how would LA fill that void? We take a look at three left-shot defense targets they could turn to on the free agent market.

Ivan Provorov

The Columbus Blue Jackets top-four blueliner would be the closest facsimile to Gavrikov, in terms of production, ability and price tag. He's projected to land a six-year deal with a $7 million AAV. Jackets GM Don Waddell has expressed an interest in re-signing Provorov, and the defender has said he wants to stay. With $40 million in cap space, they certainly have the room to do it, so he might not be available come July 1.

Dmitry Orlov

The 33-year-old would come at a cheaper price, both in term and AAV. But he's still projected by AFP Analytics to garner a three-year deal x $5.8M. Joe Patarino of Hockey Royalty thinks that far too much, and would like to see the Kings try to land Orlov, but only on a one-year deal. "Be it with his legs or his passing, Orlov is a zone-exit machine," writes Patarino, "If the term is right, I think Orlov’s abilities next to (Brandt) Clarke or (Jordan) Spence would be pretty enticing and the type of D pair the LA Kings should probably lean into."

Matt Grzelcyk

The former longtime Boston Bruins defender saw his offensive numbers soar, but his defense take a hit in his one year this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He far surpassed his career highs with 39 assists and 40 points, but he suffered a negative plus/minus rating for the first time in his nine seasons, dipping to a -6. Probably understandable, seeing that he went from a top defensive team in Boston to one of the worst in the league, in Pittsburgh. AFP projects him at a three-year, $3.77M AAV on his next contract, and Patarino figures, "maybe getting him out of Pittsburgh isn’t the worst thing in the world?"