Rangers Secure Vladislav Gavrikov with Million-Dollar Extension
The Rangers have finalized the signing of Vladislav Gavrikov, considered the most coveted defenseman in free agency, with a seven-year contract extension for $49 million, according to internal sources.
The Los Angeles Kings tried to re-sign Gavrikov in recent days, increasing their offer on at least two occasions, but the 29-year-old player chose to explore the market. Gavrikov is finalizing a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5.875 million.
Gavrikov is expected to form a defensive pairing with Adam Fox on the Rangers. In addition, he will reunite with the team’s star and compatriot, Artemi Panarin, with whom he was a teammate in Columbus.
The Rangers continue to reshape their roster after failing to qualify for the playoffs this season. General Manager Chris Drury traded the team’s most veteran player, Chris Kreider, to Anaheim last month.
Gavrikov, with six years of NHL experience, averaged 23:05 minutes in 82 games for the Kings last season, scoring five goals and 25 assists. He played on both the left and right sides at times. Los Angeles was one of the league’s top defensive teams, and Gavrikov was often part of their first pairing.
