The New York Rangers are expected to make some major moves this offseason after missing the playoffs last season.
New York has already traded Chris Kreider and could be active in free agency to improve the roster. Adding to the blue line is an area of need, and an NHL analyst, Matt Larkin of DailyFaceoff, named the Rangers as the ideal landing spot for star defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings.
“Ekblad might feel like the bigger star and thus the top UFA defenseman available. But Gavrikov is probably the best,” Larkin wrote. “While he’ll never be much of an offensive threat, he has emerged as one of the game’s elite shutdown stoppers at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill. Particularly because Ryan Lindgren’s game eroded leading up to trading him, the Blueshirts badly need a long-term replacement to play on Adam Fox’s left side.”
The Rangers have a clear need on the blue line, especially with K’Andre Miller being a trade candidate.
Gavrikov completed his two-year, $11.75 million deal with the Kings and will be highly sought after in free agency. AFP Analytics projects Gavrikov to sign a seven-year deal worth $7.6 million per season.
The Russian can be a top-pairing defenseman for the Rangers. He’s known for elite defensive ability, which is needed to play alongside Adam Fox, who’s an offensive defenseman.
Gavrikov recorded 5 goals and 25 assists for 30 points in 82 games.
Insider: Rangers to Make 2 Key Moves on Defense
New York is looking to shake up its roster, and the blue line is what the Rangers are expected to focus on.
The Rangers have been heavily linked to Gavrikov, and all reports indicate a deal will get made. Rangers insider Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud reports New York will trade Miller and sign Gavrikov to bolster their blue line.
“Based on conversations with multiple league sources, who spoke to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, on the condition of anonymity, at least two feasible moves appear to be in the works,” Mercogliano wrote. “The first is finalizing a trade that will send restricted free agent defenseman K’Andre Miller out of town. Drury has shopped him to several teams. Most of which reside in the Western Conference, and will be requesting final-and-best offers this week. (If he hasn’t already.)
“The second is signing Miller’s replacement, with unrestricted free agent Vladislav Gavrikov at the top of New York’s wish list,” the article added. “Two sources indicated there is mutual interest between the two parties and labeled the Blueshirts as the favorite to land the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Russian when free agency opens July 1.”
Gavrikov is a star defensive defenseman who plays a ton of minutes and can help improve the Rangers’ penalty kill.
What Other Moves Will Rangers Make?
New York could make some other moves in the offseason. But trading Miller and signing Gavrikov seems likely.
Mercogliano doesn’t expect a Mika Zibanejad trade to happen. Instead, the insider expects that to be New York’s big move. But, Mercogliano thinks the Rangers will look to add bottom-six forwards and depth defenseman to round out the roster.
However, the insider did reveal that the Rangers have inquired about Colorado’s Martin Nečas and Dallas’ Jason Robertson, but a trade seems unlikely.
The Rangers have just under $13 million in cap space.
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