Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov Bio
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 159th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2015 NHL entry draft. Gavrikov built his early reputation in the Kontinental Hockey League before making the jump to North America, where he has established himself as a steady and reliable defensive presence. His playing career began in 2014 and spans more than a decade across the KHL and NHL.
Over the course of his NHL career, Gavrikov has developed into a trusted two-way defender capable of contributing in both regular season and playoff settings. He has skated with three different NHL organizations, accumulating experience that has refined his defensive awareness and offensive production from the blue line. His journey from Yaroslavl to the world’s top hockey league reflects a deliberate progression through increasingly competitive levels of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov was born on 21 November 1995 in Yaroslavl, Russia. Growing up in a city with a rich hockey tradition, he was immersed in the sport from an early age. Yaroslavl is home to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, one of the most respected clubs in Russian hockey history, and the city’s deep hockey culture provided Gavrikov with exposure to elite-level competition close to home.
His early development took place within the Russian hockey system, which is recognized for its rigorous emphasis on defensive fundamentals and physical conditioning. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 214 pounds, Gavrikov possessed the size and frame that made him a natural fit for the defensive side of the game. His left-handed shot and imposing physical presence were attributes that scouts recognized early in his development.
Gavrikov made his Kontinental Hockey League debut with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl during the 2014–15 season, marking his arrival on the senior professional stage at the age of 19. He spent four seasons with the club, progressively building the skills and experience that would eventually draw NHL interest. During his time in Yaroslavl, he developed the poise and positional awareness that have defined his game at the highest levels.
Path to National Hockey League
Following the 2016–17 season, Gavrikov’s KHL rights were traded from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl to powerhouse club SKA Saint Petersburg, signaling his growing value within Russian hockey. The Columbus Blue Jackets had already identified him as a prospect, having drafted him 159th overall in 2015, and extended an invitation for him to tour Columbus, Ohio. Despite arriving in the United States on 27 June 2017, Gavrikov informed the Blue Jackets that he had agreed to a two-year contract to remain with SKA, choosing to continue his development in the KHL.
The decision proved beneficial for his long-term development. During the 2018–19 season with SKA Saint Petersburg, Gavrikov posted a career-high 20 points in 60 KHL games. His steady improvement and physical two-way play attracted continued NHL attention. After SKA suffered a second consecutive conference final defeat to CSKA Moscow, the club released Gavrikov from his expiring contract, clearing the way for him to sign a two-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on 13 April 2019.
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov Career
Early Career (2014–2019)
Gavrikov’s professional career began in the KHL with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl during the 2014–15 season, where he served as a foundational piece on the blue line. He logged four seasons with the club, steadily increasing his ice time and offensive contributions. Following his transfer to SKA Saint Petersburg, he continued to refine his game against some of the best competition in the world outside the NHL. His 20-point campaign in 2018–19 with SKA represented the peak of his KHL production and confirmed his readiness for the North American game.
Signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in April 2019 marked a pivotal transition in his career. The organization had invested in his development for years through the draft process and scouting visits, and his arrival represented the culmination of a patient long-term prospect plan. He joined a Blue Jackets roster that valued physical, defensively responsible blueliners, fitting naturally into the team’s system and culture.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2019–2023)
Gavrikov made an immediate impact in his first NHL season, scoring his first career NHL goal on 15 November 2019 against goaltender Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues. He finished his rookie regular season with 18 points in 69 games, establishing himself as a reliable contributor on the Columbus blue line. His defensive reliability and ability to move the puck effectively made him a regular fixture in the Blue Jackets’ defensive rotation throughout his first campaign in North America.
The 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs provided Gavrikov with his first NHL postseason experience, and he seized the opportunity by scoring his first career NHL playoff goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished the playoff run with three points in 10 games, gaining valuable experience in the high-stakes environment of NHL postseason hockey. His poise under pressure during that playoff run reinforced the Blue Jackets’ belief in his long-term potential.
On 5 November 2020, the Blue Jackets rewarded his progress with a three-year, $8.4 million contract extension, locking in his services through the 2022–23 season. Over the following years with Columbus, Gavrikov continued to refine his game and accumulated valuable NHL experience. His steady, unflashy style made him a dependable presence, though the organization ultimately decided to move him as part of a larger roster reset. On 1 March 2023, the Blue Jackets traded him and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltender Jonathan Quick and two draft picks.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2023)
Gavrikov wasted little time making his mark with the Los Angeles Kings, scoring his first goal as a King on 6 March 2023 against the Washington Capitals. The Kings, a franchise with a history of developing elite defensive talent, provided a fitting environment for his continued growth. On 7 June 2023, he opted to forgo free agency and signed a two-year contract extension to remain in Los Angeles with an annual value of $5.875 million, demonstrating his comfort and commitment to the organization.
New York Rangers Era (2025–Present)
After establishing himself further with the Los Angeles Kings, Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov became a free agent on 1 July 2025 and signed a seven-year deal with the New York Rangers worth $49 million, with an annual value of $7 million. The signing represented a significant long-term investment by the Rangers in a proven defensive presence. Joining a Rangers defense corps seeking to add experience and physicality, Gavrikov arrived as a player with over 300 games of NHL experience across three organizations.
On March 14, 2026, Gavrikov recorded his first NHL career three-point game, tallying one goal and two assists in the Rangers’ 4–2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The milestone performance demonstrated his continued offensive development and fit within the Rangers’ system. His presence on the blue line provides New York with a reliable defender who can handle heavy minutes and contribute offensively when the opportunity arises.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gavrikov’s game is built on defensive reliability, physical engagement, and smart puck movement. At 6 feet 3 inches, his size allows him to effectively contain opposing forwards in board battles and front-of-net situations. His left-handed shot and disciplined gap control make him a valuable asset in all three zones, and his experience across multiple NHL systems has given him the versatility to adapt to different coaching philosophies and defensive structures.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gavrikov’s career milestones are his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues on 15 November 2019, his first playoff goal during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, his first goal as a Los Angeles King against the Washington Capitals on 6 March 2023, and his first NHL three-point game on 14 March 2026 with the New York Rangers. His gold medal with the Russian Olympic team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang remains one of the most significant achievements of his career on the international stage.
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov Career Wins
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov has established a consistent record of production across the Kontinental Hockey League and the National Hockey League. His offensive output includes a career-high 20 points in 60 games during the 2018–19 KHL season with SKA Saint Petersburg and 18 points in 69 games during his NHL rookie season with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019–20. His playoff production includes three points in 10 games during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs with Columbus.
National Hockey League Highlights
Gavrikov’s NHL career includes goals against the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Minnesota Wild, spanning three different teams. His first NHL playoff goal came against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, marking a significant milestone in his postseason experience. His three-point game against the Minnesota Wild on 14 March 2026 with the New York Rangers represents the offensive peak of his NHL career to date.
International Wins and Performances
Gavrikov represented Russia at multiple international tournaments, including the World Under-17 Challenge, World Under-18 Championships, World Junior Championships, and Senior World Championships. He won a gold medal as a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a career-defining achievement that highlighted his status as one of Russia’s elite defensive players on the world stage.
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gavrikov was born in Yaroslavl, Russia, and began his hockey career within the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl development system. Details about his family background and parents are not publicly available through verified sources. No information is available regarding a spouse or children for Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov through verified sources.
Personal Life
Gavrikov maintains a private personal life with limited publicly available information beyond his hockey career. His primary residence is not publicly documented, and he has not shared notable personal details through verified public sources. His focus remains on his professional career as a defenceman in the National Hockey League.
2025 Season Performance
Vladislav Andreyevich Gavrikov began the 2025 season as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, having signed a two-year extension in June 2023 with an annual value of $5.875 million. He entered the season with established NHL experience across three organizations and a reputation as a steady, physical defensive presence. His play during the season helped solidify his value on the free agent market ahead of his decision to sign with the New York Rangers in July 2025.
The 2025 season served as a bridge between Gavrikov’s Kings tenure and his new chapter with the New York Rangers. Following his entry into free agency on 1 July 2025, he signed a seven-year deal worth $49 million with the Rangers, marking one of the most significant free agent commitments the organization has made to a defensive player in recent years. His signing was viewed as a move to bring stability and experience to the Rangers’ blue line for the long term.