As per Michael Russo and Eric Duhastschk of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Kings are reportedly shut to finalizing a contract extension for pending UFA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. The blueliner was added at this previous season’s NHL Trade Deadline and whereas the Kings had been ousted within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the group favored what he introduced to the group.
The two scribes write, “Assuming Gavrikov signs, it means that at least two regulars on the blue line, Sean Walker and Sean Durzi, could be trade bait. The pair start the offseason at Nos. 29 and 30 on the trade board.” Durzi, 24, could be of curiosity to different NHL groups. He anchored the Kings second power-play unit, can play each the left and the correct facet, and is on an excellent worth contract that pays him $1.7 million subsequent season. Walker, 28, also can play each side, makes $2.65 million, and appears to be bouncing again from some harm considerations.
Both scribes level out that will probably be intriguing to see what the Gavrikov quantity is available in at and what it means for the opposite free brokers the Kings would love to signal. Specifically, in the event that they pay an excessive amount of for Gavrikov — who’s rumored to be on the lookout for a hefty elevate — they would wish to discover room for UFA goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. How a lot curiosity the Kings have in signing him isn’t solely clear, but when he had been to depart in free company, the membership’s solely different choices are Pheonix Copley and Cal Petersen. That’s a questionable tandem for a group that wishes to take one other aggressive step this season.
If the Kings actually need to go fishing for a top-notch starter, (somebody like Connor Hellebuyck) they’d have to pay a heavy premium to unload Petersen’s contract.
