Avalanche strike out on high-profile free agent as offseason plans take a huge hit
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
Vladislav Gavrikov has signed with the New York Rangers.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Gavrikov signed a seven-year contract worth $49 million on Tuesday.
Avalanche lose out on signing NHL's top UFA.
According to a recent article, the Avalanche had Gavrikov's name circled as a target heading into free agency on Tuesday.
Gavrikov, 29, recorded 30 points last season, five goals and 25 assists, while playing all 82 games. He also chipped in two assists during six playoff games in the Kings' first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers.
JFresh had this to say about the deal on X...
Vladislav Gavrikov, signed 7x$7M by NYR, is a top-pairing shut-down defenceman. Plays a simple stay-at-home game with little puck time and not a ton of physicality but an active stick and solid frame. This season he ranked very high in terms of stick checks and entry denials.
The Russian blueliner was previously on a two-year deal valued at $11.75 million.
"Across 435 career games with the Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets, Gavrikov has recorded 29 goals and 106 assists for a total of 135 points." -Sportsnet
Selected 159th overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL Draft, Gavrikov played three seasons in Columbus before being dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in March 2023.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Kings also made headlines by signing forward Corey Perry away from the Edmonton Oilers.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the Gavrikov signing, the Rangers were reportedly negotiating a trade to send defenseman K'Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. That deal came to fruition on Wednesday.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 4 | 17 ANSWERS Avalanche strike out on high-profile free agent as offseason plans take a huge hit Did the Rangers overpay for Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency? | ||
| yes | 11 | 64.7 % |
| no | 6 | 35.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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