Vladislav Gavrikov is poised to be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents this summer, and the New York Rangers are expected to be among the teams vying for his signature. After a career year with the Los Angeles Kings, the 29-year-old defenseman has significantly boosted his value, making him an attractive option for teams seeking to bolster their blue line. However, the question remains: could the Rangers, desperate to improve after missing the 2025 playoffs, potentially overpay for his services?
Gavrikov is coming off a season where he played all 82 games, scoring five goals and contributing 25 assists for a total of 30 points. Beyond the scoresheet, his defensive contributions were exceptional, leading the Kings with 140 blocked shots and posting a career-best plus-26 rating. He also logged a career-high average of 23:05 of ice time per game, underscoring his importance to the Kings' defensive structure. These numbers highlight Gavrikov's reliability and effectiveness as a top-four defenseman, attributes that are highly valued in today's NHL.
The Rangers' interest in Gavrikov stems from a clear need to revamp their defensive core. They traded Ryan Lindgren and are seemingly ready to move on from K'Andre Miller, creating a void for a dependable left-handed defenseman who can pair effectively with Adam Fox. Gavrikov fits this profile perfectly. He has a reputation as a strong, defensive-minded player who can handle significant minutes against top opposition. He's a big body at 6'3" and 220 pounds, and his experience and skillset would bring stability to the Rangers' often inconsistent defense.
However, acquiring Gavrikov won't be a simple task. Several teams are expected to express interest in him when free agency opens. This high demand could drive up his price, potentially leading to an overpayment by a team eager to secure his services. Gavrikov's previous contract had an average annual value (AAV) of $5.875 million. Given his performance this past season, projections estimate his next contract could reach between $6.5 million and $7.6 million per year. Some analysts predict he could even command a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7.6 million.
For the Rangers, the challenge lies in balancing their need for defensive improvement with the constraints of their salary cap. After trading Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, the Rangers have approximately $14.9 million in cap space. However, they also need to re-sign restricted free agents like Will Cuylle and address other roster needs. Paying Gavrikov upwards of $7 million per year would consume a significant portion of their available cap space, limiting their flexibility to address other areas of concern. The Rangers might also need to trade players like Miller to create sufficient cap space.
Overpaying for Gavrikov could have long-term consequences for the Rangers. A bloated contract could hinder their ability to sign other key players in the future or force them to make difficult decisions regarding their existing roster. While Gavrikov would undoubtedly improve the Rangers' defense, GM Chris Drury must exercise caution and avoid getting caught up in a bidding war that could jeopardize the team's long-term financial health.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to pursue Gavrikov and how much to offer will depend on the Rangers' assessment of his true value and their overall strategy for building a competitive team. While Gavrikov presents an appealing solution to their defensive woes, the Rangers must weigh the potential benefits against the risks of overspending and potentially hamstringing their future roster construction.
