Vladislav Gavrikov

Lore & Background

The narrative of Vladislav Gavrikov's movement in early 2023 is defined by a specific sequence of trades rather than a direct acquisition by the Detroit Red Wings. While Detroit was active in the market—trading Filip Hronek and a fourth-round pick to Vancouver on March 1, 2023—they did not acquire Gavrikov directly. Instead, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured him from Los Angeles on that same day, March 1, 2023. The trade conditions were precise: Columbus received Gavrikov only if the Kings qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, a condition met when the Kings clinched a playoff spot on April 2, 2023. Consequently, Gavrikov became a Blue Jacket in time for the draft lottery and subsequent selection process, where Columbus eventually moved down one spot to secure the third overall pick for Adam Fantilli.

In Their Own Story

The timeline of late winter 2023 saw the league shuffle its defensive pieces in anticipation of the June 28–29 draft. On March 1, the Los Angeles Kings made a bold move, sending Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo to Columbus. This deal was contingent on the Kings making the playoffs, which they did on April 2. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings were busy acquiring picks; they received an Islanders' first-round selection and other assets from Vancouver, but Gavrikov remained in Ohio. As the draft lottery took place on May 8, 2023, Chicago and Anaheim moved up, while Columbus held firm with their newly acquired third spot. Gavrikov's name appeared in trade logs as a key asset for the Blue Jackets, yet he never suited up for Detroit, his name absent from any trade involving the Red Wings during this period.

Reader's Guide

The only connection is indirect: Detroit traded Filip Hronek to Vancouver on March 1, 2023, while Columbus acquired Gavrikov from Los Angeles on that same date. There is no record of a trade sending Gavrikov to Detroit. His status as of the draft period was tied to the Columbus Blue Jackets following the March 1 transaction. Fans should note that the Red Wings' first-round pick in this cycle came from the New York Islanders, not via any acquisition involving Gavrikov.

Did You Know?

• Vladislav Gavrikov was traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 1, 2023.
• The trade for Gavrikov was conditional: Columbus only received him if the Kings qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
• The condition for acquiring Gavrikov was officially converted when the Kings clinched a playoff spot on April 2, 2023.
• Gavrikov was part of a package that also included Joonas Korpisalo sent to Columbus in exchange for Jonathan Quick and draft picks.