As expected, the New York Rangers are finalizing a contract for unrestricted free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun was the first to announce the news. Shortly thereafter, LeBrun shared that it’ll be a seven-year, $49MM agreement for Gavrikov in the Big Apple.
PuckPedia was quick to report the financial breakdown of Gavrikov’s new deal with the Rangers:
- Year 1: $1MM salary, $8MM signing bonus
- Year 2: $1MM salary, $8MM signing bonus
- Year 3: $1MM salary, $6.65MM signing bonus
- Year 4: $1MM salary, $5.55MM signing bonus
- Year 5: $1MM salary, $5MM signing bonus
- Year 6: $3.4MM salary, $2MM signing bonus
- Year 7: $5.4MM salary
Additionally, PuckPedia shared that Gavrikov will have a full no-movement clause in the first five years of the deal, before transitioning to a 20-team modified no-trade clause in the sixth year, and a 15-team modified no-trade clause in the seventh season.
Due to the contract being paid out mostly in signing bonuses, it explains why Gavrikov signed for nearly $11MM less than comparable defenseman Ivan Provorov. He’ll now move to the third organization of his career and become the top-four shutdown defenseman that the Rangers have coveted for some time. And he’s one of the better shutdown blue liners, at that.
Over the past three years, Gavrikov has scored at a moderate pace, managing 22 goals and 105 points in 311 games between the Blue Jackets and Kings. Averaging over 22 minutes a night over that stretch, Gavrikov also totalled 507 blocked shots and 303 hits.
Although he maintained quality defensive metrics throughout his tenure in Columbus, Gavrikov improved dramatically upon his move to Los Angeles. During his two-and-a-half-year run with the Kings, Gavrikov managed a 53.5% CorsiFor% at even strength and an on-ice save percentage of 91.4% at even strength.
Gavrikov’s signing looks even better for the Rangers, considering they already employ one of the league’s top netminders. Last season, the Rangers produced the sixth-worst shots against total, but were able to finish around the mid-way point of the league in GA/G. Similarly, New York finished with the 11th-best penalty kill, meaning Gavrikov will help the team dramatically at even strength with a man disadvantage.
PHR’s Brennan McClain contributed significantly to this article.
This is a really solid pick up for New York in getting Vlad Gavrikov who’s a really stout defenseman and a good point producer (30 points last season). He should form an effective pairing with Adam Fox on the first line.
BS, How could the Kings not match up that?
I don’t believe he wanted to stay in LA, 3 years—- 3 first round exits, the team has struggled to attract star players in free agency.
Hiller affect
Maybe the term? Rangers are a mess, but 7 years instead of 4 at 7 million is a lot of immediate difference. Maybe the rangers pull it together in a couple seasons? Looking like it’s gonna be rough next year though.
less than provorov is surprising but also this signing with Nyr has been predicted by everybody
Tremendous move by the Rangers…getting rid of K Miller and signing Gavrikov…
They immediately went from a soft defense to a tough defense…
Rangers off to a Great start in the Sullivan Era!!!
I wonder about these guys that sign on the first day. Can’t tell me that there wasn’t dialogue BEFORE today. Of course not– that would be tampering.
Yup. All around the league. I’ve been hearing about this signing for about two weeks now.
Very good pickup for the Rangers, but ugh, those no-movement contracts are killers. I guess if you really want to sign a player nowadays, you’ve got to add in the NMC’s.
I like the move, just not sure about the seven years. Four at most.