10 teams in the mix for Vladislav Gavrikov despite new contract talks!
Trade watch is heating up for the defenseman!
HockeyFeed
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov could be the first piece on the back end to move as the March 3rd trade deadline nears. According to Pierre LeBrun, the phone has been ringing off the hook in Columbus. Gavrikov has drawn interest despite a subpar season for the Blue Jackets as he brings a size/mobility combination that is very desirable for contenders at the deadline. However, Columbus might want to keep him as well : they know what he’s worth! LeBrun explained how 10 teams are now in the mix to acquire his services on last night’s Insider Trading on TSN:
“Yeah, they do want to sign Vladislav Gavrikov. But if they can’t sign him, you know, it’s not just a first-round pick I think they’re going to ask for this guy. That’s the floor. If you go back and look at what they got for David Savard a couple of years ago, I think the Blue Jackets are using that very much as their playbook here, they got a first and a third for Savard in that deal with Tampa. And I think the Blue Jackets view Gavrikov as a guy is actually playing at a higher level than Savard was then. They view Gavrikov higher. He leads them in ice time, he plays in so many key situations. So, if he is going to be dealt and there are at least 10 teams that have already inquired on Gavrikov, it’s going to be a first-rounder plus something else to get him on your team for the rest of the season.”
No teams were mentioned by LeBrun though the Edmonton Oilers are believed to be highly interested to fill their void on the back end. However the price is expected to be high, just like it was when Columbus received high returns for David Savard and what the Montreal Canadiens were offered for Ben Chiarot at last year’s trade deadline. In 2021, the Jackets sent Savard to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a three-way deal that included the Detroit Red Wings for the cost of a first-, third- and fourth-round pick.
Chiarot landed a similar return from the Florida Panthers as the Habs received first- and fourth-round picks along with the rights to recent third-round prospect Ty Smilanic . The Canadiens retained half of Chiarot’s deal, taking his cap hit down to $1.75M for the Panthers.
Just like Savard and Chiarot, Gavrikov is a pending unrestricted free agent that will likely be after a multi-year deal on the open market. And he could be used first as a rental.
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