New York Rangers Steal Top Defenseman from LA Kings in $49M Contract

NHL free agency is officially upon us, and while it took some time to announce, the New York Rangers have made the worst kept secret in the National Hockey League official on Tuesday.

For weeks now, it's been expected that the team would land Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, with some suggestions that the deal was agreed upon days ago, and less than an hour into free agency opening, the deal is official.

According to all reports, the deal is for seven years, carrying a salary cap hit of $7 million per season in that time, with the team landing their long-term replacement for Ryan Lindgren, whom they traded at the deadline.

For the Rangers, this is a fantastic move, as Gavrikov will provide them with stability on the left side of the defense, giving star righty Adam Fox the perfect parter to play alongside for many years to come.

While the scoring numbers don't jump off the page, Gavrikov does all the little things right, and whenever he was on the ice this past season, the Kings were much better than when he wasn't, and with the physical game he plays, he'll fit in perfectly with the New York Rangers.

Only time will tell if this signing results in potential tampering issues with the league, but as a signing, this move for New York and the player is fantastic, with the team now loaded up on the left side as they look to make another push for the Stanley Cup in 2025/26.