THN.com/podcast. From The Hockey News Podcast: Kings' Luc Robitaille on Kopitar, Jerseys and More Vladislav Gavrikov [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NTAxNjcwMTM5NzMzOTI3/usatsi_20547215.jpg] Vladislav Gavrikov The Stanley Cup has yet to be awarded, but the Los Angeles Kings are already well into their off-season plans. The Kings continued their expectedly busy summer with a major move on Wednesday, announcing that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.875 million. The deal, which now ties Gavrikov to Los Angeles through 2024-25, will ensure he hits the open market once again at the age of 29, likely setting him up for a massive payday if the salary rises as projected. From the moment he joined the Kings, Gavrikov seemed like a perfect fit. The hulking defender acclimated splendidly into the Kings' defense corps, chipping in three goals and six assists for nine points in 20 games that almost matched his entire offensive output earlier that season in Columbus in nearly one-third of the games. On top of his raw production, Gavrikov served a vital need on LA's back end, logging upwards of 21 minutes per night in ice time and taking on some of the team's most difficult defensive assignments game in and game out. In the playoffs, Gavrikov saw his workload increase and helped the Kings outscore their opponent by five goals when he was on the ice – an impressive feat given that the Oilers eliminated them in six games. After Tuesday's trade of Cal Petersen to the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/news/blue-jackets-acquire-ivan-provorov-from-flyers-in-three-team-trade-reports], it was clear the Kings were clearing cap space for a major move. Gavrikov's extension fits that bill and gives one of the Western Conference's most promising clubs a very stable defensive force for years to come.
