2. Vladislav Gavrikov
Gavrikov is projected to be the best defender available in free agency, and he turns 30 this November. He's a mobile defenseman that logs big minutes and uses his 6'3" and 220 pound frame when necessary, and has posted some quality underlying metrics in recent years.
This season he had a line that included a 59.74 GF%, a 55.81 CF%, and a 57.19 xGF% with the Los Angeles Kings. Opponents generated just 1.61 goals against per 60 minutes when he was on the ice, and he was very good both at 5v5 and on the penalty kill. He's the type of player that is best for your team before getting paid, and he is in line for a significant raise this summer. The Rangers could really use someone like him, and depending on the cost he'd be a great player who could thrive under Sullivan.
1. Matt Duchene
Duchene feels like one of the few bigger name forwards that the Rangers could have a legitimate shot at, because he's a veteran player coming off some success in Dallas but may look for a different opportunity elsewhere. He rebounded nicely this season after a pair of down seasons, and at 34 years of age he still has a lot left in the tank. Duchene is someone that's good enough to be a second-line center, and there's a world where the Rangers target him to play behind Miller which pushes Trocheck to the third line where he excels as an elite bottom-six center. Duchene would be a great fit at 5v5 and would also get a chance on one of the team's power play units.
