The New York Rangers have reshaped their defense this offseason, but they may not be done.
The Rangers signed star defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal in free agency. New York also traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes, which means the Rangers could look to add another defenseman.
NHL insider Shayna Goldman of The Athletic links the Rangers to trading for Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.
“Two free-agent signings (Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg) and a waiver claim (Leddy) brought in three NHL-caliber defensemen and $12.5 million in cap space,” Goldman wrote. “With those additions and Shakir Mukhamadullin pushing for a mainstay role at the NHL level, the Sharks can consider a Mario Ferraro trade. Ferraro has a year left on his contract and could also be packaged as a deadline rental in March.
“But teams would likely jump at the chance to add a 26-year-old with a $3.25 million cap hit, especially after defensive prices spiked this summer,” Goldman added. “That cap hit comes in clutch for an acquiring team and San Jose. The Sharks should be able to save their last retention slot for the deadline to get maximum value on one of those newly added veteran defensemen. The Rangers could still use help on the left behind free-agent signee, Vladislav Gavrikov.”
Ferraro is entering the final year of his four-year, $13 million deal. The defenseman would add some more depth to the left side of the Rangers’ blue line. He wouold also add some offense to the backend.
Ferraro recorded 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 78 games last season with the Sharks.
Rangers GM Thrilled With Defensive Makeover
New York put an emphasis on improving their defense this offseason.
The Rangers signed Gavrikov, who’s one of the best defensive defenseman in the NHL, and traded away Miller, who struggles defensively at times. After the moves, Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury was thrilled with the moves.
“It starts in our D-zone,” Drury said when asked about how Gavrikov will improve the team. “We have to be better in our zone, we have to be better in front of (Igor Shesterkin) and (Jonathan Quick). To me, that’s the mindset he shows up with every single day.
“The size, the reach, the competitiveness, the way he defends and the way he is able to complement his partner, whether that’s (Adam) Fox or any other of our right-shot D that we have, that’s what excited all of us in targeting this player. Thrilled to be able to have him as a key part of that D corps,” Drury added.
The Rangers’ blue line now projects to feature Gavrikov, Adam Fox, Carson Soucy, Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen, and Braden Schneider.
Sharks Have Listened to Trade Offers for Ferraro
San Jose has been linked to moving Ferraro as he’s entering the final year of his deal.
At the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun revealed San Jose had gotten trade calls for Ferraro.
“San Jose Sharks are listening on LHD Mario Ferraro, 26. It doesn’t mean they’ll move him. Happy to keep him. But given the small number of D on the trade market, Sharks are seeing what comes their way,” LeBrun reported back in March.
Ferraro was selected 46th overall in 2017 by the Sharks.
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