The Los Angeles Kings were busy at the start of the month by agreeing to new deals for five players on the first day of free agency. However, the players and the contracts they agreed to left a lot to be desired.
Leading up to free agency, there were a number of players that the Kings were hopefully they could sign but ultimately would never get the chance. They were interested in Mitch Marner, but he would do a sign-and-trade to the Golden Knights before free agency began. Another option was expected to be Brock Boeser but he would return to Vancouver shortly after free agency began and didn't appear to consider any other options.
When looking back at some of the contracts given out across the league and what the Kings did, these are three free agents that the organization will look back on and regret not signing.
3 free agents the Los Angeles Kings will regret not signing this offseason
Vladislav Gavrikov
The first is an obvious one and it is the Kings' biggest loss of the summer with Vladislav Gavrikov leaving to join the New York Rangers. It had been reported going as far back as the trade deadline last season that the Kings were discussing an extension with Gavrikov.
However, nothing was completed and the assumption was that money was the biggest sticking point between the two sides. When seeing the contract that Gavrikov ultimately signed with the Rangers, seven-years for $49 million, it was surprising as it felt like he could have gotten a much bigger deal. It then raises the question of what was the Kings best offer and were they really not willing to go up to an AAV of $7 million.
Gavrikov was the best defenseman available once free agency began so the Kings were always going to have trouble replacing him. They tried with Brian Duomoulin and Cody Ceci and while Duomoulin isn't a bad signing, instead of Ceci, the Kings should have signed this next player.