$49 Million Rangers Defenseman Breaks Silence On Trade Rumors
Speaking with the New York Post on September 22, Gavrikov was asked about his future and the rumors surrounding it after a first season with the New York Rangers that looked nothing like what either side signed up for.
"Well, probably no one in the locker room was happy with how we ended up during the season and everything," Gavrikov said.
What He Actually Said, And What He Didn't
Notably absent from Gavrikov's answer was anything resembling a denial.
He never said he wants to stay in New York. He never said he isn't asking for a trade. Instead, he pivoted toward the upcoming season as a chance to reset.
"That's an opportunity. It's challenging, but it's a great opportunity for us to show everyone who we are and what we can do," Gavrikov said.
David Pagnotta: Re Rangers: What are they gonna end up doing with some of their...veteran pieces, is Vladislav Gavrikov gonna look at this and go, what the heck did I come here for if we're not gonna compete - Daily Faceoff (9/3)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 6, 2026
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NHLRR: Gavrikov's name surfaced in the odd…
Asked more broadly about his first year with the Rangers and where things stand now, he kept his answer forward-looking rather than settled.
"I'm looking forward to see what's going to happen this year," he said. Heading into camp, his tone was pretty upbeat. "I'm excited before a season, obviously," Gavrikov said, adding that he believes the Rangers have "a good group right now" and stressing how important it is for the team to get off to a proper start.
Why The Ambiguity Matters
Gavrikov signed his seven-year, $49 million contract last summer expecting to contend alongside close friend Artemi Panarin.
Instead, the Rangers finished 30th in the league, Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, and Adam Fox missed significant time.
Speculation followed almost immediately, with Rangers' insider Arthur Staple reporting in February that Gavrikov wasn't "super happy" with the direction of the franchise, and others floating a potential reunion with Los Angeles back in June.
David Pagnotta: Re Rangers: What are they gonna end up doing with some of their...veteran pieces, is Vladislav Gavrikov gonna look at this and go, what the heck did I come here for if we're not gonna compete - Daily Faceoff (9/3)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 6, 2026
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NHLRR: Gavrikov's name surfaced in the odd…
The Post's questioning specifically pressed him on whether he'd need to reevaluate his situation if the Rangers struggle again this season, and Gavrikov's answer leaned on hope for a bounce-back rather than any reassurance about his long-term commitment.
That's a different answer than the flat denial The Athletic's Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano reported back in June, when a league source told them Gavrikov hadn't asked for a trade.
The roster around Gavrikov looks considerably better than it did a year ago.
The Rangers were desperately thin on the blue line behind their top pairing last season, and they addressed that directly by acquiring Sean Durzi from Utah and Marcus Pettersson from Vancouver, giving head coach Mike Sullivan a solid second pairing for the first time in years.
That depth should let Gavrikov settle back into the shutdown, defense-first role he was originally brought in to play.
Even if his patience does eventually run out, moving him wouldn't be simple. Gavrikov holds a full no-movement clause through the 2029-30 season, giving him complete control over any trade regardless of what New York wants.
