The New York Rangers were left with little choice once restricted free agent defenseman K’Andre Miller declined to re-sign with the team.
With the threat of losing him looming, the team traded Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he immediately signed a maximum eight-year extension, and turned to free agency to fill the gap.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury moved fast and was able to land long-time-targeted defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year, $49 million contract coming off his final season with the Los Angeles Kings.
The 29-year-old blueliner scored 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 82 regular-season games for the Kings last season. He added two assists in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.
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Speaking after the signing, Drury pointed to Gavrikov’s reliability and fit as a major reason the team acted decisively and signed him quickly after the start of free agency.
“That’s the (defensive) mindset he shows up with every single day,” Drury said. “The size, the reach, the competitiveness, the way he defends, the way he’s able to complement his partner, whether that’s (Adam) Fox or any other right-shot (defenseman) that we have.
"That’s what excited all of us in targeting this player. Thrilled to be able to have him as a key part of that (defense) corps.”
Back to the Miller deal, the Rangers received two draft picks and young defenseman Scott Morrow in return for their young blueliner.
Though Drury didn’t reference the Miller decision directly as the catalyst for Gavrikov's signing, he made clear why defensive changes were needed.
“To me, it starts in our (own) zone,” Drury said. “(Defensive)-zone coverage. Defending, certainly defending in the high-danger areas, which we simply put were not good at last year.
"We have to be better in our zone," Drury said. "We have to be better in front of 'Shesty' (Igor Shesterkin) and 'Quickie' (Jonathan Quick)."
The Rangers have already filled their 23 roster spots while keeping $778,000 of cap space available.
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