Report: Rangers ink Gavrikov to 7-year, $49M contract
The New York Rangers are signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year contract carrying a $7-million average annual value, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Gavrikov was the top defenseman available in free agency. He spent the past two-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Kings after a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 29-year-old managed 30 points in 2024-25 but is known for his defensive reliability. He averaged over 23 minutes per night on Los Angeles' top pair this past season and ranked seventh among his peers in defensive even-strength goals above replacement, according to Evolving-Hockey.
Gavrikov's eclipsed 100 blocks four years in a row. He should help solidify a Rangers blue line that struggled this past season and could slot in with Adam Fox on the top pairing.
New York missed the playoffs this spring after winning the Presidents' Trophy the year prior.