The New York Rangers addressed a serious need at left-handed defense.
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers have agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract with Vladislav Gavrikov.
Gavrikov, 30 in November, spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2019-23) before playing on the Los Angeles Kings (2023-25). He is not going to provide much offense (just 29 goals and 135 points through 435 career games), but that is not what New York needs from him.
A true shutdown defensive defenseman, Gavrikov should slot in on the Rangers’ top pair with righty Adam Fox.
New York also lost two of its more reliable LHD already this offseason as Ryan Lindgren signed with the Seattle Kraken, and K’Andre Miller is on his way to the Carolina Hurricanes.
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022 and 2024, the Rangers suffered a setback 2024-25 campaign, going 39-36-7 and missing the postseason. Gavrikov alone will not change their fortunes, but he is still a major addition to this back end.
The $7 million annual average figure is probably a bit of an overpay, but this is also New York, and anything besides Stanley Cup contention is considered a failure.
This is also a period of mass transition for the Rangers as they have dealt long-time veterans such as Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider in recent months.
Now, they need to replenish this roster with young talent and continue to look for proven skaters like Gavrikov to get back into the postseason.
