The New York Rangers’ 2025-26 season hasn’t just gone off the rails - it’s been a full-blown derailment. And with the NHL trade deadline looming on March 6, the front office is clearly signaling that major changes are on the table.
The first domino fell with the blockbuster move that sent Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. But if you think that was the end of the story, think again.
The next chapter might involve defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov - and that would be a significant development less than a year into his Rangers tenure.
Gavrikov, who signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with New York this past offseason, was seen as a key piece of the team’s blue line and a stabilizing force for a club that had playoff aspirations. But now, with Panarin - a close friend and one of the reasons Gavrikov came to the Big Apple - no longer in the picture, there’s growing chatter that the veteran defenseman may be questioning the team’s direction.
Former NHL forward and current analyst Mike Rupp recently shed some light on the situation, suggesting that Gavrikov might already be having second thoughts. According to Rupp, there’s a sense that the 30-year-old isn’t entirely on board with the Rangers’ apparent pivot toward a retool or rebuild.
And frankly, it’s not hard to understand why. Gavrikov joined a team he believed was built to contend.
Now, just months into his deal, that vision is starting to look like a mirage.
Through his first 57 games in a Rangers sweater, Gavrikov has put up 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists), providing solid two-way play and bringing the kind of physical, responsible presence that teams crave - especially come playoff time. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. And in the postseason grind, that kind of player becomes invaluable.
So if Gavrikov were to express a desire to move on - or even just a willingness to consider it - the market would be there. In fact, it would be robust.
Teams with legitimate Stanley Cup hopes would line up for a shot at acquiring him. His track record with Columbus and Los Angeles already showed he can handle the pressure of meaningful games, and his style is tailor-made for the intensity of spring hockey.
Potential suitors? There’s no shortage.
Detroit, Anaheim, Carolina, Utah, Boston, Colorado, Dallas - even a reunion with the Kings - could all make sense, depending on how they’d manage his $7 million cap hit. That’s a steep number, but for a contender looking to shore up its back end, it might be a price worth paying.
From the Rangers’ perspective, the Panarin trade return didn’t exactly wow the fanbase. If GM Chris Drury wants to recoup value and set the franchise up for a quicker turnaround, dealing Gavrikov - while painful - could bring back a more substantial package.
He’s a player with proven value, under contract, and still in his prime. That’s a rare combination on the trade market.
Of course, it’s important to note that no move is imminent. Gavrikov hasn’t publicly requested a trade, and the Rangers haven’t committed to a full teardown.
But given how fast things have shifted in New York, it’s clear that nothing is off the table. And if the team continues to trend downward, the pressure to make bold moves will only grow.
The Rangers entered the season with high hopes. Now, they’re staring down a deadline that could reshape the roster - and the future - in dramatic fashion.
Gavrikov’s situation is just one to watch. But it might be the one that tells us the most about where this franchise is headed.