How Vladislav Gavrikov fits Rangers shift to ‘quieter’ defense
The New York Rangers spent much of last season chasing games from inside their own zone. Their defensive play was atrocious — they allowed the third-most high danger chances at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick — too often hanging goalies Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick out to dry.
“We have to be better in our zone,” general manager Chris Drury said. “We have to be better in front of ‘Shesty’ and ‘Quickie’.”
That motive sparked a pair of major offseason changes, when the Rangers parted ways with K’Andre Miller and committed to a seven-year, $49 million contract with free-agent Vladislav Gavrikov.
The moves changed the identity of the Rangers defense corps.
Rangers television analyst Dave Maloney told Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast that Gavrikov is “going to be wonderfully efficient in his own end … a little bit quieter than we’ve seen the Rangers in their own end of the ice.”
The “quieter” approach Maloney talked about has become a guiding factor for how the Rangers are reshaping their blue line. Miller’s raw talent and upside are undeniable, but his inconsistencies and turnovers were maddening. Those wild swings won’t be seen with Gavrikov, who’s game is centered on doing the right thing more than making the eye-popping play.
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Rangers blueprint for consistency with defense corps
This transformation began during the dismal 2024-25 season, when veterans Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren were traded away. Zac Jones left as a free agent this summer after the Rangers didn’t extend him a qualifying offer. Then Miller was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1 for defenseman Scott Morrow and a pair of premium picks in the loaded 2026 draft — a conditional first-rounder and second-round selection.
The Rangers added Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen and Carson Soucy last season. Gavrikov completed the makeover this summer, with Morrow a bit of a wild card as a 22-year-old rookie.
Maloney pointed to Vaakanainen and Borgen specifically as examples of the defensive mindset the Rangers are gravitating toward.
“They’re just a little calmer,” he said.
It’s a low-maintenance approach the Rangers are now prioritizing. Gavrikov fits that to a tee.
The 29-year-old is physical, but doesn’t chase the big hit. He remains well-positioned, is quick on his feet, and uses his stick effectively to get in the way of shooting and passing lanes. Gavrikov does an excellent job keeping his man to the outside and clears the front of his net.
It’s no surprise then that he was on ice for only 42 goals against (22 high-danger goals) logging a team-high 1,534:58 TOI 5v5 with the Los Angeles Kings last season, per Natural Stat Trick. Simply, he makes his goalie’s life easier and workload lighter. Kings goalies had a .929 save percentage with Gavrikov on the ice 5v5.
He also committed 20 fewer turnovers than Miller last season 5v5 despite playing 200 more minutes.
Gavrikov is a beast on the penalty kill, as well. In over 270 minutes short-handed, he was on ice for just 18 high-danger goals — a stat that would satisfy any coaching staff.
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Rangers likely to pair Vladislav Gavrikov with Adam Fox
Speaking with reporters last week, Drury wouldn’t commit to Gavrikov partnering with Adam Fox on the top pair. Gavrikov could form a shutdown second pair with Borgen, taking over Miller’s spot there on the left side.
But it’s hard to imagine that the Rangers centered their entire offseason strategy on acquiring Gavrikov to play full-time with Borgen. The Gavrikov-Fox pairing makes all the sense.
Gavrikov’s calm, defense-first approach is exactly what Fox needs to be able to fully lean into his strengths without constantly making up for his partner’s mistakes. Lindgren was a nice complementary partner for for years with Fox. But Lindgren is not in Gavrikov’s league as a defenseman in the NHL.
The Rangers don’t need Gavrikov to be a star, per se. If Gavrikov can replicate what he brought to Los Angeles, he should be the long-term stabilizer next to Fox on New York’s blue line.
WATCH the entire Dave Maloney interview at the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page
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