New York Rangers

Rangers Could Be Ready to Trade $100M Worth of Contracts

There is speculation surrounding two big possible trades by the New York Rangers this season. Could they move $100M in contracts?

by
NHL Trade Talk
July 25, 2026

The New York Rangers spent this offseason reshaping a roster that missed the playoffs entirely in 2025-26, and according to recent reporting, two more significant pieces could be on the move — for very different reasons.

The first is Alexis Lafrenière.

On the ’32 Thoughts’ podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman raised the possibility of a trade if the Rangers stumble out of the gate next season. While it might be a last-resort kind of deal, he noted, “You can either trade your problem or solve your problem.”

He believes Lafrenière is in a better position now than a few months ago, with a clearer path to a bigger role now that Artemi Panarin is out of the picture. The former first-overall pick signed a seven-year, $52.15 million extension in late 2024, and Friedman suggested a strong start to the season could quiet any trade speculation for good.

The second is Vladislav Gavrikov.

According to Arthur Staple on the Rangers Recon podcast, there are ongoing whispers that the defenseman isn’t fully satisfied with the direction of the franchise, raising the possibility he could eventually approach GM Chris Drury about a move elsewhere. Gavrikov signed a seven-year, $49 million deal after a strong stretch with the Los Angeles Kings, and while his first season in New York was a step backward, his skill set could be attractive to other teams. He is a left-shot defenseman with real defensive impact and reasonable term remaining.

Combined, the two contracts add up to roughly $101 million.It would a big amount of money for the Rangers to move off of, giving them plenty of cap space to make other moves.

It sounds like Lafrenière would only be moved if he’s not playing well or the team struggles. Gavrikov’s move may hinge more on the player’s own comfort level.

Given that Panarin and Vincent Trocheck were both moved, but Dorofeyev was added, it’s tough to know where the Rangers see themselves this season. The additions of Dorofeyev, Marcus Pettersson, and Sean Durzi suggest they intend to compete. Whether that pans out could be the biggest factor in whether Lafreniere or Gavirkov are moved.

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