The New York Rangers have let it be known since the start of the calendar year that they are looking to trade away players in return for draft capital and young, pro-ready players. The team traded away the likes of Artemi Panarin, Sam Carrick, Carson Soucy, and Brennan Othmann. This retool they are undergoing is far from the expectations they had entering the 2025-26 season.
There were rumors speculating that defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who the Rangers signed to a seven-year, $49 million contract last summer, could be looking for a way out. Los Angeles Kings insider John Hoven said during an appearance on Hot Stove on NHL Network Radio that he wouldn't be surprised if Gavrikov sought a trade back to his old team. It would have been surprising, considering Gavrikov just joined the Rangers.
The Athletic's Peter Baugh and Vince Mercogliano poured some cold water on the trade rumors surrounding Gavrikov, saying that the defenseman hasn't asked out of New York, and that they find it difficult for the Rangers to deal him elsewhere.
Rangers reportedly unlikely to trade Vladislav Gavrikov this offseason
"We’ve seen some speculation on defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov’s situation. While Gavrikov didn’t have an easy transition coming to the Rangers, he hasn’t asked for a trade, according to a league source, and it’s hard to see New York looking to move him after signing him to a seven-year deal last summer, especially considering he had a career-high 14 goals and averaged nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game in his first season with the team," write Baugh and Mercogliano.
There you have it. Do not expect the Rangers to move on from their top free agent signing from last summer.
Gavrikov was brought in as, essentially, K'Andre Miller's replacement, who was due for a new contract and subsequently dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes in a sign-and-trade. That trade did come back to haunt the Rangers immediately, as Miller had a strong run in the playoffs and towards a Stanley Cup victory. But Gavrikov has been good during his first year with the Rangers.
This season, Gavrikov put up career highs in goals (14) and points (35), while also recording 21 assists, 104 blocked shots, 50 hits, and 22 takeaways. Offensively, Gavrikov was the Rangers' most productive defense behind Adam Fox, who had 53 points (nine goals, 44 assists) in 55 games. Those numbers helped him make the second power play unit this season.
This offseason, defense is still an area of need for the Rangers, specifically a puck-moving one. The free agency class is weak and could be overpriced. The Rangers did try the trade block, where they were rumored to be in the running for then-Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram. Plus, there's a chance the Rangers use their fifth-overall pick on a defenseman, with Carson Carels and Alberts Smits, who are both left-handed defensemen like Gavrikov.
As of now, there is no talk of the Rangers moving on from Gavrikov. If there is one defenseman that is likely to get dealt, it's Braden Schneider, who is due for a new contract this summer as a restricted free agent. But as of now, the top pairing of Gavrikov and Fox will be run back next season.
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