The Rangers have signed Vladislav Gavrikov, considered to be the top defenseman available in free agency, to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension, sources told ESPN.
The Los Angeles Kings made a big push to re-sign Gavrikov over the past several days, upping their offer at least twice, but the 29-year-old decided to enter the market. He is finishing up a two-year deal that carried a $5.875 million cap hit.
The Rangers envision Gavrikov as a defensive partner alongside Adam Fox, sources said. He also reunites with Rangers star and countryman Artemi Panarin; they were once teammates in Columbus.