Los Angeles Kings Offseason Setback
This offseason, the Los Angeles Kings experienced a significant setback as they lost defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to free agency. Despite their attempts to retain the player, Gavrikov opted for a lucrative seven-year contract with the New York Rangers, marking a notable shift in his career. The Rangers announced the signing on their Twitter account, welcoming Gavrikov to New York.
Negotiations and Missed Opportunities
In a recent discussion on the podcast “32 Thoughts,” insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Kings and Rangers were in negotiations for a potential sign-and-trade deal prior to the start of free agency. Unfortunately for the Kings, the arrangement fell through, resulting in them losing Gavrikov without any compensation—leaving the team needing to strengthen its defense as it approaches the upcoming season.
Friedman did not provide specific details about the breakdown of the sign-and-trade proposal. However, drawing parallels with a deal that sent Mitchell Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, it seems the Kings’ return would likely have been modest, potentially involving a lesser player or a draft pick from the Rangers.
Future Prospects and Roster Enhancements
In light of Gavrikov’s departure, the Kings are now focused on bolstering their roster, having been previously linked to high-profile names like Mitch Marner and Brock Boeser. Nevertheless, they were unsuccessful in those pursuits. Instead, they sought to enhance their defensive lineup within budget constraints, which will be a critical factor in their quest to return to playoff contention next season.
International Representation
Moreover, in a positive note for the team, winger Adrian Kempe has been chosen to represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. He will join a talented roster that includes other prominent Swedish players, enhancing the Kings’ reputation on the international stage amid their efforts to rebound from Gavrikov’s free agency loss.
