Vladislav Gavrikov is exactly what the Rangers needed on defense

Team defense is an area the New York Rangers have needed to improve for several seasons, and 20 games into the 2025-26 season fans are thrilled with what they've been seeing, especially from Vladislav Gavrikov. Gavrikov signed a seven-year deal worth $49 million ($7 million AAV) and the contract is an absolute bargain considering what he's done for the Rangers to start the season.

Gavrikov is the Rangers' best shutdown defender in recent memory

Gavrikov has been a breathe of fresh air for the Rangers, and his underlying metrics to start the season are quite impressive. In just under 400 minutes of play at 5v5, Gavrikov has posted a 57.69 GF%, a 53.76 CF%, and a 55.33 xGF%. His ranks on the team amongst defensemen in those category are seventh, second, and fourth respectively. Gavrikov has been on the ice for just 1.35 goals against per 60 minutes, and 2.22 expected goals against per 60 minutes according to Evolving-Hockey. He's been great at disrupting chances and breaking up plays by using his active stick, and he just does it so effortlessly that I don't think it is properly appreciated.

Gavrikov has brought toughness and has endeared himself to teammates

Another element of the game that Gavrikov has contibuted is toughness, and specifically standing up for his teammates. During a recent win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Scott Sabourin took at whack at Igor Shesterkin after the whistle, and Gavrikov jumped in with authority.

This is something that drew the attention of Mike Sullivan, and he spoke about that moment when talking with the media recently. Via Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, “For sure it does. He's a team guy, and he'll do whatever it takes to help his teammates. I think that goes a long way with his teammates. It certainly goes a long way with his coaching staff.”

Gavrikov is the perfect partner for Adam Fox, and the pair is one of the best in the NHL

This tweet went up before the Rangers' loss against the Detroit Red Wings, and it had the pair of Gavrikov-Fox as the fourth best in the NHL this season in terms of goals against per 60 minutes. The sample here is pairs that have played 150 minutes together, which is a pretty small sample.

The duo of Gavrikov-Fox is up to 330.6 minutes on the season, and they've surrendered just 1.27 goals against per 60 minutes. There are only six pairs in the NHL this year to have logged 275 minutes or more, and the Rangers' pair comes in second when you bump up the minutes. The only pair that's been better is the duo of Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb for the Vegas Golden Knights, the team the Blueshirts take on tonight.