One of the more in-demand names in free agency is off the market. News emerged that defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov has signed a new contract with the New York Rangers. This deal is for seven years and $49 million. The cap hit averages out to $7 million per season, and the contract will run until the end of the 2031-32 season.
Gavrikov 7 x 7 NYR
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2025
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Vladislav Gavrikov Signed by the New York Rangers
Gavrikov has played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings over his six-year NHL career. This season, the Russian blueliner totalled five goals and 25 assists for 30 points in 82 games. He had a Corsi for of 48.5 and a relative Corsi of -7.0.
The 29-year-old has 29 goals and 106 assists for 135 points in 435 career games. Columbus originally drafted the Yaroslavl, Russia native in the sixth round, 159th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Gavrikov came to the Kings via a trade at the March 2023 trade deadline. Joonas Korpsalo and Jonathan Quick were also part of the trade.
Gavrikov has represented his native Russia at the international level. He won a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. He’s also picked up a pair of bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 IIHF World Championships. The defender was also part of the silver-medal-winning squad at the 2015 World Juniors.
What it Means
The veteran defenceman was one of the more coveted backend targets in the off-season. He may not fill up the scoresheet, but he was a hot commodity in this free agent period.
His big frame at 6-feet, 3-inches tall and 214 pounds makes him a force in any defensive group. He has been a big part of the Kings’ regular-season success since coming over in the middle of the 2023 season.
There was little doubt that Gavrikov was going to get a nice payday, and now he’s got that. He’ll likely be an important part of the defensive group.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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