Breaking: LA Kings Sign Pending UFA To Extension

One of the biggest potential unrestricted free agents this summer is off the board, as the Los Angeles Kings have signed key trade deadline acquisition Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year extension.

Congratulations to Vladislav Gavrikov on signing 2 year contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings! #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/k9LBvHK5jl

— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) June 7, 2023

The Kings' D-man has officially been inked to a 2-year, $5.875M AAV deal, most of which will be paid in bonuses.

Vladislav Gavrikov's two-year extension with #LAKings includes a full no-movement clause and is paid almost entirely in signing bonuses -- $5.725M this July 1 and $4.475M on July 1, 2024.

He gets $775,000 in salary each year.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 7, 2023

As noted by NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the deal also includes a full no-movement clause. 

"We saw and understood what kind of fit it was," said GM Rob Blake. "When you can throw out defenders like that against top players, it certainly helps your team.”

The 27-year-old appears to be betting on himself, as he'll become a free agent again in the summer of 2025 at the age of 29.  

Gavrikov came to be leaned on heavily by the Kings, as he played more than 21 minutes a night in the team's six playoff games, and finished with a plus-5 rating, following an impressive plus-12 in his 20-game stint after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

  Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports