Gavrikov at the Center of NHL Tug-of-War as Kings and Rangers Battle for His Future
With NHL free agency about to erupt into full swing, all eyes are on defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, whose name is dominating headlines as the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers ramp up efforts to secure his services. It’s a high-stakes standoff, and time is ticking.
As of now, Gavrikov is poised to hit the open market, and the Rangers are circling aggressively. But don’t count out the Kings just yet. According to reports, Los Angeles is making one final push to keep Gavrikov in a Kings jersey. TSN insider Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Kings are still waiting on a response from Gavrikov’s agent, Pat Brisson, after multiple contract offers were sent. It’s clear that GM Ken Holland is serious—he’s already gone beyond what was originally proposed by Rob Blake and has continued negotiations, hoping to lock down the 29-year-old blueliner before free agency officially kicks off.
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But despite those efforts, speculation is heating up that New York may be Gavrikov’s next home. The Rangers, with around $13 million in cap space and a shaky defensive future, see Gavrikov as a potential anchor on the blue line. They haven’t extended key young players like Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller yet, meaning their roster remains in flux. Still, insiders believe that outside of Los Angeles, the Rangers are the most serious contenders.
If Gavrikov does hit the market, early estimates peg his next deal at around seven years and close to $8 million per season. That’s a major commitment, but for a player of his caliber—someone with size, shutdown ability, and the experience to handle top-pair minutes—it might just be worth the price.
There’s a lot at stake here. For the Kings, losing Gavrikov would punch a hole in their defensive structure, especially after showing strong commitment to keeping him. For the Rangers, signing him would be a bold signal of intent from a franchise trying to remain competitive while navigating cap constraints.
As we count down to free agency, one thing’s for sure: the Gavrikov sweepstakes isn’t just about one player—it’s about two franchises trying to define their future blue lines. Whether he stays in L.A. or heads to New York, Gavrikov’s decision is going to make waves. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.
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