The New York Rangers have reached agreement with free-agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year, $49 million contract that carries a $7 million average annual value, according to multiple league sources on the first day of NHL free agency. Gavrikov, 29, leaves the Los Angeles Kings after two seasons and is expected to slot on the Rangers’ top pairing with Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox. The shutdown blueliner’s cap hit comes in below the $8.5 million Ivan Provorov secured from Columbus a day earlier, underscoring suggestions that Gavrikov accepted less to play in New York. The deal gives general manager Chris Drury a veteran anchor on the left side but tightens the club’s payroll, leaving roughly $6–7 million in space and forcing decisions on restricted free agents such as K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle. New York missed the playoffs last season and is banking on Gavrikov’s stability, coupled with new coach Mike Sullivan’s system, to return the team to contention.