Vladislav Gavrikov, Jordan Spence and the future of the Kings' blue line

New York Times

26-06-2025

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Through their run of regular seasons that have led to four consecutive Stanley Cup playoff appearances, the Los Angeles Kings have iced one of the NHL's top defensive outfits. Nothing disputes that.
From 2021-22 through 2024-25 in a composite measurement, the Kings' metrics spell out success: goals against (fourth), shots on goal against (second) and, in five-on-five play, high-danger chances allowed (eighth), expected goals-for percentage (seventh) and scoring chances allowed (eighth).
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This, while cycling through a series of goaltenders who've even had turns as the lead guy for one reason or another: Jonathan Quick, Cal Petersen, Pheonix Copley, Joonas Korpisalo, Cam Talbot, David Rittich and Darcy Kuemper. This speaks to a system that has been friendly to netminders who suppress opponents' offensive attack, with a team-wide commitment to checking and making teams work harder for their scoring opportunities.
Perhaps more astonishing is that the club has maintained defensive proficiency despite the talent that has left, including Matt Roy, Sean Durzi, Sean Walker and Brock Faber (yes, we know he never played a game for L.A.).
And yet, the Kings' blue line could be bound for a different look.
It isn't just that they've been unable to solve the Edmonton Problem in their underwhelming postseason performances. Players' wishes, whether contractual or usage-based, also come into play. Vladislav Gavrikov, a minutes-chomping shutdown force who was their best on the back end last season, tops the list.
Gavrikov's bet with a short, two-year extension signed in 2023 paid off. The 29-year-old is set to cash in with a long-term contract that will easily eclipse the $5.875 million salary-cap number he played on. The Kings are willing to commit several years, general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday. The gap lies in the 'dollars.'
Holland has had consistent communication with Gavrikov's agent, Pat Brisson. One of Holland's first acts as GM has been to build on the initial offer Rob Blake made before a mutual separation with the franchise in May. But free agency is approaching Tuesday, and Gavrikov is a hot commodity. The New York Rangers are expected to make a big offer, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported, while Gavrikov could command up to $8 million annually on the open market.
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'Defense is at the top of the to-do list,' Holland said in his first public availability since his introduction May 15. 'Obviously, we have until basically Monday because Tuesday's when everything happens. It's a big few days ahead here.'
'We're still having conversations,' Brisson told The Athletic. 'Still grinding through it.'
The Kings losing Gavrikov would leave a gaping hole, as he logged a career-high 23 minutes on average while delivering impressive defensive metrics. His importance only increased when he stepped in on the top pairing with Mikey Anderson and effectively played on his off side while Drew Doughty missed the first 47 games to recover from a broken ankle.
And losing Gavrikov with no assets in return would be reminiscent of Roy leaving to sign with the Washington Capitals last summer. In both cases, the Kings needed them for their playoff pushes and couldn't afford to derail those by dealing either at the trade deadline. But in Roy's case, the Kings had the right shots in Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence waiting in the wings for increased roles.
While they have Joel Edmundson and Jacob Moverare returning on the left side, there isn't a true in-house replacement ready to fill Gavrikov's shoes.
'We're prepared to do a long-term deal,' Holland said. 'Rob Blake offered a deal, and I extended it. So, we'll see. The cap's escalating. We're all trying to figure out on both sides what is the realistic market. It's going to play itself out between now and probably Tuesday or Wednesday.
'Some people re-sign, and some people sign elsewhere to kind of figure that out. I do know we got to do something. I've got to make some moves on defense if we don't re-sign Gavrikov.'
The Kings could reallocate what PuckPedia estimates is over $21 million of cap space. While they need to re-sign restricted free agent Alex Laferriere, Holland indicated they're eager to get a bridge deal done for the young winger. Holland also didn't rule out the pursuit of a major free agent. Mitch Marner is this year's biggest catch.
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But to fill a potential need on defense, the Kings could look to the trade market. Buffalo's Bowen Byram and the New York Rangers' K'Andre Miller are left shots who appear to be available. Byram and Miller are not as accomplished defensively as Gavrikov, but they have more offensive upside. Both are also younger, but are restricted free agents in need of new contracts.
Spence's future with the Kings could also be in question. The 24-year-old is signed at $1.7 million ($1.5 million cap hit) for next season. Ordinarily, a young right-shot defender who can skate and move the puck on a cheap deal wouldn't be dealt. But Spence couldn't hide his disillusionment at being reduced to bit player status this postseason after playing 79 regular-season games.
'I think I've kind of given them what I can bring to the table and the trust that they should give me,' said Spence, who played only 2:55 in Game 3 against the Oilers and was scratched for Game 4. 'I want a bigger role. I think I'm ready to take a step again next year to have a bigger role, and I wish I was able to contribute more in the playoffs. You know, it was unfortunate for me to just kind of sit there and not be able to be on the ice.'
On Wednesday, Holland said Spence has not asked for a trade. The defenseman also doesn't want more of the same.
'Jordan wants to play,' Holland said, acknowledging Doughty and Clarke also being on the right side. 'I know I've talked to his agent multiple times. He'd love to be here, but he wants to play. He'd like to be in the lineup every night. He's 24 years old, and if he's not in the lineup every night, I think he'd like to be somewhere where he could be in the lineup every night. That's part of what we have to decide between now and Tuesday.
'He doesn't want to go backwards in his career. He doesn't want to become a seventh defenseman. He wants to know that when he comes to the rink, he's going to be in the lineup every night. If he's not going to be in the lineup every night, then he'd probably consider going elsewhere. But he has not asked for a trade.'
Asset management has not been a strength of the Kings' front office. Now Holland is at the controls. And while the team has managed to replace what it lost on the blue line, it could be tested by more departures.
'I think Gavrikov's the key,' said Holland, who didn't rule out trading his rights this week if they can't agree on a contract. 'If Gavrikov comes back, then he's going to eat up lots of cap space. Lots of minutes. I think that Drew Doughty is a big piece of this puzzle. He didn't play (52) games last year. He came back from a broken ankle. I know he's in the gym every day grinding away, determined to have a big year. There was wonderful chemistry between Gavrikov and Mikey Anderson.
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'So, we'll see. But certainly defense is the No. 1 priority in my mind that we have to address between now and Tuesday.'
During a nearly 40-minute session, Holland hit on a range of other topics. One was Adrian Kempe, their best player, who will become eligible Tuesday to sign an extension. It could be a large deal, given how he's vastly outperformed his four-year contract with a team-friendly $5.5 million average annual value. The rising cap figures to affect his price tag, but the new deal wouldn't start until 2026-27.
'We're going to probably get to it sometime in early July,' said Holland, who met with Kempe's agent, J.P. Barry, at the NHL scouting combine. 'Not going to trade him. He loves it here. He wants to be here. We want to keep him. Let me get some of this other stuff done and then we'll get at him.'
Forward Tanner Jeannot appears to be headed to free agency, as Holland said he's seeking a higher role than the fourth line he mostly played in his one season with the Kings. Andrei Kuzmenko, their other notable UFA winger, remains a possibility to return as he and the Kings are seeking a shorter-term extension. Holland also has kept in touch with Rittich's agent, Craig Oster, but said he's also looking outside for a backup to Kuemper.
(Top photo of Vladislav Gavrikov: Luke Hales / Getty Images)