Vladislav Gavrikov Nearly Joined Rangers Eastern Conference Rivals: Details Are Shocking
Photo credit: Ryan Sun
The New York Rangers have a new top-four defenseman in Vladislav Gavrikov. They were able to lure him to the East Coast with an AAV $7 million. He'll join the Blueshirts for the 2025-26 season. But there was a point where it seemed like GM Chris Drury might've lucked out on Gavrikov, as his other suitor was the Rangers' rivals, the Florida Panthers.
According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, Vladislav Gavrikov wasn't only entertaining offers from the New York Rangers. But he was actively testing the market, and could've ended up in Sunrise, had GM Bill Zito had his way.
While this news is unsettling, given how great of a GM Bill Zito is, even with the Columbus Blue Jackets connection, the Panthers didn't have the cap space to meet Gavrikov's demands.
Instead, he fell to New York after the Los Angeles Kings failed to secure him to a new deal by July 1st.
Just imagine how much deadlier the Panthers' blueline would've been with a seasoned veteran like Gavrikov anywhere in that core group.
We're just fortunate that the sign-and-trade fell through, as the Rangers didn't have to give up any future assets to acquire the former Blue Jackets and Kings defenseman.
In 82 games played with the Kings, he scored 30 points (5-25) and was a regular partner with Drew Doughty in the top-four of the team's defensive group.
Now the Rangers' blueline looks a little more solid thanks to a solid acquisition by GM Chris Drury.
It's not often we sing his praises here, but this was certainly a good move.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 240 ANSWERS Vladislav Gavrikov Nearly Joined Rangers Eastern Conference Rivals: Details Are Shocking Are you happy that defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is now a New York Ranger, instead of a Florida Panther? | ||
| Yes | 228 | 95 % |
| No | 12 | 5 % |
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