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Vladislav Gavrikov returns to Kings on 2-year deal

One of the top pending UFAs is officially off the board.

kyle cantlon
Writer
·1 min read
Gavrikov and the Kings, perhaps surprisingly, came to terms on a short-term deal rather than going the long-term route. (Getty)
Gavrikov and the Kings, perhaps surprisingly, came to terms on a short-term deal rather than going the long-term route. (Getty)

The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.875 million, the team announced on Wednesday.

Gavrikov, who was one of the most coveted players available at the 2023 NHL trade deadline, was acquired by the Kings along with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Jonathan Quick (who was subsequently flipped to Vegas), a first-round pick in the 2023 draft and a third-round pick in 2024.

The deal, which takes one of the top pending free agents off the board, features a full no-move clause and will be paid out mostly in signing bonuses, according to PuckPedia.

The 27-year-old posted six goals and 19 points in 72 regular-season games last year with the Kings and Blue Jackets while averaging 21:58 of ice time per night. During LA's six-game playoff defeat to the Oilers this spring, Gavrikov led the Kings with a plus-five rating and chipped in an assist.

Gavrikov was selected by Columbus in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.