The Los Angeles Kings lost one of their crucial players this offseason when Vladislav Gavrikov chose to sign a long-term deal with the New York Rangers, despite the Kings’ attempts to retain him. On a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman revealed that a potential sign-and-trade between the Kings and Rangers fell through before free agency began, which resulted in the Kings losing Gavlikov without receiving any compensation.
Although Friedman did not specify what the exact terms of the sign-and-trade would have been, he compared the situation to Mitchell Marner’s move to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In that instance, Vegas Golden Knights acquired Nicholas Roy in exchange, suggesting the Kings could have gained a valuable player or draft pick from the Rangers.
Ultimately, the Kings must accept the departure of Gavlikov and focus on moving forward for next season. While they have tried to bolster their defensive depth this summer, only time will tell if these efforts pay off.
The Kings also signed Cody Ceci but missed out on high-profile targets like Mitchell Marner and Brock Boeser, much to the fans’ disappointment as they hoped for a player who could help push the team deeper into the playoffs. Adding to the Kings’ challenges, players like Adrian Kempe and Fiara were selected to represent their countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, showing their value on the international stage but also presenting added demands on the team’s roster.
Fan Take: Losing a key player like Vladislav Gavlikov without any return is a tough blow for the Kings and underscores the challenges teams face in free agency. For hockey fans, this highlights how crucial smart trades and signings are to maintaining competitive balance and shaping the future of the sport.
