2025 Rangers Season Previews: Vladislav Gavrikov

 This article is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Season Previews, taking a close look at what we can, and should, expect from each member of the 2025-26 New York Rangers. To read other articles in this series, go here.

The biggest marquee signing for the New York Rangers this offseason really needs no introduction. The hope is that Vladislav Gavrikov doesn’t stand out nearly as much on the ice as the headline did to everyone when he chose to sign a seven-year deal with the Blueshirts worth $49 million. The defensive defenseman has a stellar reputation for plugging in, playing big minutes, while taking on a key role in shutting down the opposition’s top forwards.

Previous Performance

Gavrikov was originally a sixth round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015. After being drafted late, he continued to ply his trade in the KHL, eventually ending up on SKA St. Petersburg—the same team as Igor Shesterkin. Gavrikov crossed the Atlantic in 2019 and settled in the flat plains of Columbus, Ohio. He joining Artemi Panarin in his last year as a Blue Jacket and participated in the team’s longest postseason runs to date in the 2019-20 playoffs. He continued to excel with the middling Blue Jackets teams, helping maintain their defensive acumen while also posting his most productive season, scoring 33 points in the 2021-22 season. The following year, Gavrikov’s fate was tied to another current Ranger when he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Jonathan Quick and a couple of draft picks.

It was in Los Angeles that Gavrikov started to gain league-wide recognition for his defensive skills. His even-strength possession and defensive metrics have been impressively strong. His Corsi fluctuated from 54.2 CF% to 53.7 CF% during his three years as a King, all while the majority of his zone starts occurred in the defensive zone. This past season, he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game and led the Kings with 140 blocks. While being a defensive stalwart for the Kings, he still managed to score 30 points in 82 games.

Expectations

Gavrikov was signed to bring stability and more defensive prowess to the Rangers' top four. As simple as it sounds, the Rangers have struggled to play defense well the past however many years you want to reflect on. The hope is that Gavrikov will turn that around. It is likely he won’t get power play time, but will feature on the team’s top penalty kill. It hasn’t been determined yet, but as a left-handed shot, most have hypothesized that Gavrikov will slide in next to Fox on the top pair and help him return to his previous form. There’s also a chance he could be plugged into the second pair and spread the wealth throughout the Rangers' lineup.

It’s a bit unusual, but the easiest way to tell if Gavrikov is living up to expectations is if he doesn’t stand out. The most significant achievement he can reach is playing on the top pair while Adam Fox has another Norris-caliber season. If he skates with Fox, it’s hoped he’ll score 25-30 points by making good first passes and helping the plays develop. Another key detail is that for the money spent on a defensive defenseman, Gavrikov will achieve positive possession metrics and do his job quietly while supporting the offensive skill on the roster, allowing them to focus on holding onto the puck and attacking the net.

Predictions

Gavrikov is the real deal. While his numbers in Columbus weren’t as impressive, they were still trending upward within a team that had numerous negative metrics. I believe there will be some growing pains in his first year, and Gavrikov will likely play on the left side of the first pair with Fox. There will no doubt be a few mistakes as the entire team adapts to a new system under their new head coach. But overall, Gavrikov and the rest of the team have enough skill to figure it out. I predict Gavrikov will go on to score six goals and 28 points, while Adam Fox will be nominated for the Norris because of the stability and coverage Gavrikov provides as his defensive partner. The newest Rangers addition will also help improve the Rangers' penalty kill, likely placing it within the top ten in the league.

Conclusion

The Rangers haven’t made headlines in over a decade by signing an impact player known for their defensive skill. Gavrikov adds a much-needed dose of defense to a struggling team. Aside from Fox and Gavrikov, there are many uncertainties on the back end, so the team may still face challenges, especially after trading K'Andre Miller to clear space for Gavrikov.

Nevertheless, adding a player of Gavrikov’s talent and capability is a net positive for the Rangers. With the current salary cap increasing chaotically, $7 million per year was actually less than most expected, especially with all the teams rumored to be interested. In three years, this contract will be recognized for its incredible value and a total steal if Gavrikov performs anywhere close to expectations. This seven-year partnership between the Rangers and Gavrikov is a marathon, not a sprint, but it sure would be great if they could start strong and move to the front of the pack.