Does Rangers’ Major Free Agent Signing Already Want out of New York?

The New York Rangers’ 2025-26 season has fallen apart, and as a result, much of the roster could be dismantled ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline.

Sending Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings was the first shoe to drop, and it could be the precursor to much more — including a potential surprise move involving Vladislav Gavrikov less than a year into his tenure in the Big Apple.

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While nothing is certain, former NHLer-turned-analyst Mike Rupp recently said he’s been hearing that Gavrikov understandably isn’t thrilled with the direction of the Rangers and could already be having second thoughts — especially now that his close friend Panarin, who helped lure him to New York, is gone.

Rupp said:

“There’s a lot of rumors — you don’t know what’s true. I’m hearing that Gavrikov’s like, ‘Where is the direction of this team?’ This isn’t necessarily what he signed up for, you know what I mean? So I wonder where some of these decisions are with these players moving forward. We had a team established, this is where we are at, this is where we are going, we sent that letter out. Now you have some players who maybe have to reevaluate some things as well,”

The 30-year-old Gavrikov is in just the first year of the seven-year, $49 million contract he signed to join the Rangers as a UFA this summer. He’s registered 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) through his first 57 games with the team.

There Would be Major Interest in Vladislav Gavrikov

If Gavrikov were to indicate to GM Chris Drury that he’s not interested in going through this retool/rebuild, interest from contending teams around the league would be significant.

The veteran has proven himself as one of the more reliable defensive defensemen in the game, and his style of play is well-suited for playoff hockey, experience he has from his time with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings.

Detroit, Anaheim, Carolina, Utah, Boston, Colorado, Dallas, and even a potential return to Los Angeles are just some of the landing spots that could make sense, depending on whether they can find a way to fit in his $7 million salary.

Rangers fans were underwhelmed by the return for Panarin, so if Drury and company want to receive a more meaningful haul to help build toward the future, trading a player like Gavrikov could deliver it. While such a move still feels unlikely, nothing should be ruled out given how quickly things have unraveled in New York.

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