One of the top priorities for the Los Angeles Kings has to be trying to bring back some of their key players who are set to be free agents shortly after the NHL Draft. This certainly seems to be a focus for new general manager Ken Holland as he has recently said he has spoken to the agents of two of those players.
Holland was a recent guest on the latest episode of The Sick Podcast - The Eye Test and was asked about where he stands with some of the key free agents the Kings have, specifically Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrei Kuzmenko.
"I have talked to both agents for both players along," Holland said and went on to say he also has talked to the coaching staff, Luc Robitaille and Nelson Emerson. However, it doesn't sound like anything is imminent with either player.
He went on to say that the NHL Scouting Combine is the first weekend of June in Buffalo and he will be speaking to agents then. It would appear that serious contract discussions for both players will take place around that time.
Did LA Kings already miss their chance with Vladislav Gavrikov?
As it gets closer to free agency, it would seem the Kings chances of signing Gavirkov to a new deal get smaller and smaller. The two sides have supposedly been talking for months now and former general manager Rob Blake sounded confident around the NHL Trade Deadline that a deal would get done.
However, since then there has been a number of contract extensions signed for defensemen around the NHL that could give Gavrikov more leverage in contract negotiations. This could give the Kings a tough decision of paying him a big contract or having to find a replacement in their Top 4.
At this point, Gavrikov probably will want to test free agency being so close and if the market isn't there then a return to Los Angeles wouldn't be ruled out. The challenge is that there are not many quality defensemen available in free agency and Gavrikov might be the best of the bunch.