Korpisalo, Gavrikov join Kings, excited and ready

talking lots and they both seem like great guys already,” defenseman Drew Doughty said. “We’re just trying to not throw too much at them and make sure they’re settled in.”

Korpisalo said he was aware of outgoing goalie Jonathan Quick’s immense significance to the Kings, and that “no one’s replacing him; I’m just being me and doing my best here.” Quick went the other way in the trade along with two draft picks, and was then dealt anew, to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

Indeed there was no shortage of lingering despondence regarding the departure of Quick, even two days later.

“Maybe after now it’s going to be a little bit easier because we have something to focus on and something to play for, so we have no choice but to move past it and get ready for the next game,” Doughty said. “But I’m not going to say it’s going to get better; nothing is going to heal those feelings we had yesterday and the day before.”

Yet Doughty also expressed optimism at what Korpisalo could bring to the table in goal and what Gavrikov could add to the defense corps. McLellan laid out high expectations for Gavrikov.

“We’re getting size, a defender. I talked to (Columbus coach) Brad Larsen, he used the word ‘soldier,’” McLellan said of the 2018 Olympic gold medalist. “He pays the price for his teammates to have a chance at success. He sells out, and he should improve the penalty kill.”

But Gavrikov isn’t all grit and grind, as his teammates and the local news media discovered Thursday with a sample of his wit. And though he’s a defense-first player, most of Gavrikov’s 15 career goals have been accompanied by a signature celebration where he places his thumb by his ear and pinky finger next to his lips, mimicking a call.

So will the Kings fans be seeing that trademark ebullience from Gavrikov?

“I brought my phone with me,” he said.