Insider Links Rangers to Trading for $13M Defenseman After Gavrikov Signing
The New York Rangers have reshaped their defense this offseason, but they may not be done.
The Rangers signed star defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal in free agency. New York also traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes, which means the Rangers could look to add another defenseman.
NHL insider Shayna Goldman of The Athletic links the Rangers to trading for Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.
“Two free-agent signings (Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg) and a waiver claim (Leddy) brought in three NHL-caliber defensemen and $12.5 million in cap space,” Goldman wrote.
“With those additions and Shakir Mukhamadullin pushing for a mainstay role at the NHL level, the Sharks can consider a Mario Ferraro trade. Ferraro has a year left on his contract and could also be packaged as a deadline rental in March.
“But teams would likely jump at the chance to add a 26-year-old with a $3.25 million cap hit, especially after defensive prices spiked this summer,” Goldman added. “That cap hit comes in clutch for an acquiring team and San Jose. The Sharks should be able to save their last retention slot for the deadline to get maximum value on one of those newly added veteran defensemen. The Rangers could still use help on the left behind free-agent signee, Vladislav Gavrikov.”
Ferraro is entering the final year of his four-year, $13 million deal. The defenseman would add some more depth to the left side of the Rangers’ blue line. He wouold also add some offense to the backend.
