Gavrikov Back to LA?

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It's June 16th. Welcome to New York Rangers News Today, AI power coverage of your squad. Word on the street is the Los Angeles Kings might be looking to bring back a familiar face on defense this summer.
We're talking about Vladislav Gavrikov. He was a solid player for them before, fitting right in, and now there's chatter he could be on their radar again. Now, this might sound wild because Gavrikov just signed a big seven-year deal with the New York Rangers last summer.
He was supposed to be a cornerstone for their defense, not just a temporary fix. He even had a career-best season with them, putting up 35 points and forming a strong partnership. But here's the thing about the NHL offseason. Things change fast.
One big reason Gavrikov chose the Rangers was his close friend Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Kings just months after he signed. Plus, the Rangers seemed to be heading into a bit of a transition period, which might not be what Gavrikov envisioned when he committed to that. Long-term contract. If Gavrikov is looking for a team that's ready to compete right now, Los Angeles makes a lot of sense. He already knows the system, the coaches, and the city, and he proved he could play at a high level there. He was a dependable defenseman for the Kings when they acquired him back in 2023 Of course, if this move were to happen, it wouldn't be cheap. Gavrikov is coming off his best offensive year and is locked into a long term contract, so the Rangers would want a significant package in return. But if the rumors are true, the Kings might have a shot at bringing back a player who clearly made an impact during his previous stint.