Rangers Agree to Terms With Vladislav Gavrikov on 7-Year, $49 Million Contract

As was widely speculated leading up to the start of free agency, the New York Rangers have agreed to terms with defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on a 7-year, $49 million contract, with an AAV of $7 million.

A 29-year-old, left-handed shot, defensive-defenseman, Gavrikov is exactly what the Rangers need on paper. He's reliable on the back end, can play big minutes in any type of situation, and can chime in offensively every now and then. He's coming off a close-to-career-high season with 30 points, split between five goals and 25 assists. In his three years with the Los Angeles Kings, Gavrikov was always on the plus side of the +/- count. Whether that's a testament to his game or the defensive system Los Angeles runs is a valid question, but by all accounts, he's a valuable player for the Rangers to bring aboard from an on ice perspective.

On top of being a sound two-way defender, Gavrikov can be a mobile defensemen that can help get the puck out of his team's own end which is something the Rangers desperately need. He also blocks shots, but not to the extent where it's taken a noticeable toll on his body like we've seen with Ryan Lindgren, Dan Girardi, and several others—at least for now. He defends with an active stick, sees the ice well, and isn't afraid to get physical. His size isn't extraordinary but at 6-3, 220 pounds he'll fit right in with the image Chris Drury has for the Rangers moving forward.

Now for the downside: The contract has the potential to age poorly. Gavrikov will turn 30 this November, which means if he remains a Ranger through the life of the contract, he'll still be on the payroll for $7 million at 37 years old. Comparatively speaking, specifically to what the Columbus Blue Jackets paid Ivan Provorov, that isn't bad. The contract does contain a full no-movement clause in the first five seasons, however it turns into a modified one in the final two years of the deal.

As far as right now goes, the cap hit and additional contract specifics are not a concern seeing as the Rangers hope to win well before we grow to regret the signing. However, this is eerily similar to how the franchise has operated in years passed. Will it pay off this time around or will it be another contract we come to hate?

Time will certainly tell, but for now, welcome to New York, Gavrikov!