Penguins' Top Veteran Acquisition Target Officially Expected to Go to Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Penguins can play this summer many different ways, and while most expect them to avoid being big time buyers in free agency, if the right deal comes along, they'd be crazy not to explore adding plenty of talent.

One spot that they need talent is on the left side of their defense, especially as the team are expected to trade Erik Karlsson, and in free agency, the team have the opportunity to land a big name on the blue line.

Now, it can be officially confirmed that Vladislav Gavrikov will officially depart Los Angeles and hit the free agency market on July 1st after the latest revelation about his future in the NHL from Kings GM Ken Holland.

At 29-years of age, he may be a bit on the older side for a Penguins team that needs to get younger, but with the current state of their left side with Karlsson, Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Ryan Shea, adding a big name like Gavrikov could do wonders for this team.

Over the past two years, the big (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) 29-year old has tallied 53 points on top of being one of the best stay at home defenseman in the NHL, and as a result, he's set to get paid in a big way.

The former sixth round pick has outplayed his draft spot throughout his entire career, becoming one of the most reliable players in the entire NHL, and while the New York Rangers are in hot pursuit, this is a potential opportunity for the Penguins to add a big name to their left side for years to come.