The New York Rangers’ Vladislav Gavrikov signing could have gone a slightly different way.
At the start of the Free Agent Frenzy, the Rangers signed Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers almost had to give up assets in order to bring Gavrikov on board.
“With Gavrikov, they tried to do a sign-and-trade with the Rangers,” Friedman said. “It fell apart, it obviously didn’t happen. It makes me wonder if LA ever had a chance to re-sign him or if he was just determined to go to the Rangers.”
The Rangers were the favorites to land Gavrikov for weeks as, and despite the Kings engaging in contract extension negotiations with Gavrikov’s camp, he ultimately decided to hit the open market and quickly joined the Blueshirts.
Many even speculated that Gavrikov could have garnered more money, but he instead took a slight pay cut to sign with the Rangers.
Vladislav Gavrikov Is The Most Important Piece Of The Rangers' Massive Defensive Reconstruction
The New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a> made a substantial financial commitment, giving defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov a seven-year, $49 million contract.
The 29-year-old defenseman is expected to play top-four minutes with the Rangers and could even possibly slot on the top-pairing alongside Adam Fox.
This past season with the Kings, Gavrikov recorded five goals, 25 assists, and 30 points in 82 games while averaging 23:05 minutes.