As the 2025 NHL offseason approaches, Vladislav Gavrikov’s future remains uncertain, and once again, the New York Rangers are reportedly interested in acquiring the talented defenseman. Although there’s a chance that Gavrikov re-signs with the Los Angeles Kings, the Rangers are among the teams keeping a close eye on the situation.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Kings are still engaged in talks with Gavrikov, but the situation remains “hard to read.” “The Kings continue to have discussions with Vladislav Gavrikov’s camp. This one is hard to read right now. I think there’s a pretty robust market on July 1 for the pending defenseman, given how thin the position is in free agency this year,” LeBrun said, indicating that Gavrikov’s next move is still up in the air.
Should Gavrikov leave Los Angeles, the Rangers are expected to be among the suitors, especially with the recent trade of Chris Kreider opening up some cap space. This comes as Mike Sullivan prepares for his first season behind the bench in New York, and the team seeks to reinforce its defensive core.
Rangers targeting defensive upgrade
The Rangers‘ defense has been a point of focus, and bringing in a player like Gavrikov makes sense given the team’s need for a solid two-way defenseman. LeBrun believes the Rangers are one of several teams that could make a move for Gavrikov. “The list that I believe would be making Gavrikov an offer July 1 is eight or nine teams deep. I would put the Rangers in that group of suitors.”
Vladislav Gavrikov #84 of the Los Angeles Kings skates with the puck against Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
If the Rangers choose to move forward with Gavrikov, he could be a key addition to their blue line, offering a dependable defensive presence. His ability to play in all situations and his strong two-way game would help solidify the Rangers’ defense as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season.
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Kings’ playoff struggles and potential exit
The Kings had a solid regular season, finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 48-25-9 record. However, despite a strong start, they once again fell short in the playoffs, losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for the fourth consecutive year. This failure to advance has left the Kings facing some difficult decisions regarding their roster.
Gavrikov, who has become a reliable defensive force for Los Angeles since being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets in March 2023, could be the next domino to fall. While the Kings are still in talks to retain him, the pressure to improve after another early exit could lead to some tough choices. For the Rangers, Gavrikov’s departure from Los Angeles would present an opportunity to bolster their defense.
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What’s next for Gavrikov?
As Gavrikov navigates the uncertain waters of his future, all eyes will be on him this offseason. Will he choose to remain in Los Angeles, or could he be the next key player to make the move to New York? With the Rangers looking to make improvements on their defense, Gavrikov’s decision could be a turning point for both teams as they look to strengthen their rosters for the 2025 NHL season.
