Blue Jackets Keep RFA Vladislav Gavrikov on a 3-Year, $8.4 Million Contract

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov in 2019. Photo by Brent Clark/CSM/Shutterstock (10447920k)

Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed restricted free agent Vladislav Gavrikov and now have an important piece in their defensive rotation under contract for the next three seasons.

The team confirmed the news on social media, revealing that Gavrikov will earn $2.8 million annually.

Gavrikov is coming off a solid rookie season in NHL in which he skated in 69 games while contributing with five goals and 13 assists. More importantly, he showed maturity on the ice and proved that he can be a reliable option behind All-Star Seth Jones and emerging star Zach Werenski.

“Vladislav Gavrikov was everything we hoped he would be during his rookie season last year, establishing himself as a top-four defenseman in the National Hockey League,” said Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announcing the deal. “He is still a young player that we expect will get better every year.”

Before coming to NHL, Gavrikov spent five years playing in Europe’s most prominent hockey competition KHL. He played 222 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and SKA Saint Petersburg in KHL while recording 49 points (16 goals and 33 assists).

The 24-year-old player is also Russia’s international and was part of the country’s gold medal-winning squad at 2018’s Winter Olympics in South Korea.