Kyle Garcia 
After clearing up cap space yesterday, the LA Kings shifted their focus toward extending left-handed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
GAVY'S CALLING 📞
We've signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year contract extension.
More 📰 https://t.co/x05luh2CVn pic.twitter.com/GHxtaekTQP
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 7, 2023
This is a spectacular contract from Gavrikov's perspective.
The main variables in a standard contract negotiation are:
1. Value
2. Term
3. Signing bonuses
4. ClausesThe Gavrikov camp essentially got them all:
1. Great value
2. Reported ask was 2 years
3. Max SB
4. Full-NMC https://t.co/gwP82B0ls6— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 7, 2023
Word is this is 2x$5.875M https://t.co/vFGfPAmqgd
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 7, 2023
Vladislav Gavrikov has agreed to a two-year extension with the #LAKings carrying a $5.875M AAV.
One of the top pending UFA's is off the board.@NorthStarBet @TSNHockey @sdpnsports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 7, 2023
Gavrikov’s new contract is for two years with an AAV (annual average value) of $5.875 million. With this deal, the LA Kings will have $7.3 million left in cap space ($7,336,666), per CapFriendly. The Kings still need to sign Gabriel Vilardi, possibly several other RFAs, and find a goaltender.
With the Vladislav Gavrikov extension, the Kings have $7.3 million left in cap space ($7,336,666 to be exact). #GoKingsGo
— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) June 7, 2023
As for Gavrikov, with the cap supposedly rising within the next few years, he is betting on himself and will hit free agency again at age 29, looking for a bigger payday.
Featured image credit: LA Kings Insider
Loved the Blake trade of Cal & Walker but $5.875 seems high to me; to me Gavrikov is worth $4.5-$5m AAV and I would rather get an elite goaltender and move Bjornfot & Movarare up to try them in the NHL But this can work too if Kings get a decent gialie for $2-$3m/yr.