### Rangers Make Major Moves in Free Agency: Signing Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and Extending Derrick Pouliot and Will Cuylle The New York Rangers have made significant strides in strengthening their roster during the NHL free agency period. President and General Manager Chris Drury announced the signing of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a lucrative seven-year contract worth $49 million, alongside contract extensions for forwards Will Cuylle and Derrick Pouliot. These moves reflect the Rangers' commitment to enhancing their defensive capabilities and retaining promising young talent. ### Breakdown of Recent Transactions 1. **Vladislav Gavrikov Signing** - The Rangers signed Gavrikov, a highly sought-after defenseman, to a seven-year deal valued at $49 million, averaging $7 million per season. This contract is structured with a mix of salary and signing bonuses, including a full no-movement clause for the first five years [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_rangers_sign_vladislav_gavrikov_to_seven_year_49_million_contract/s1_16958_42401042]. - Gavrikov, 29, had a career-high season with the Los Angeles Kings, recording 30 points in 82 games, showcasing his ability as both a shutdown defender and an offensive contributor [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-vladislav-gavrikov]. 2. **Derrick Pouliot Contract** - The Rangers agreed to terms with defenseman Derrick Pouliot on a two-year contract. Pouliot, 31, had a productive season with the Syracuse Crunch, tallying 53 points in 70 games [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-derrick-pouliot]. 3. **Will Cuylle Extension** - Forward Will Cuylle received a two-year contract extension after achieving career-highs in goals (20), assists (25), and points (45) during the 2024-25 season [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-will-cuylle]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Vladislav Gavrikov's Performance Metrics:** - **Games Played:** 82 - **Goals:** 5 - **Assists:** 25 - **Total Points:** 30 - **Average Ice Time:** 23:05 minutes per game - **Blocks:** 140 [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_rangers_sign_vladislav_gavrikov_to_seven_year_49_million_contract/s1_16958_42401042]. - **Derrick Pouliot's AHL Stats:** - **Games Played:** 70 - **Goals:** 7 - **Assists:** 46 - **Total Points:** 53 [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-derrick-pouliot]. - **Will Cuylle's Career Stats:** - **Games Played:** 82 - **Goals:** 20 - **Assists:** 25 - **Total Points:** 45 [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-will-cuylle]. ### Summary of Recent Developments In summary, the New York Rangers have made strategic moves to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming season. 1. **Vladislav Gavrikov's signing** is a significant addition, expected to enhance the team's defensive strength and provide a reliable partner for star defenseman Adam Fox. 2. **Derrick Pouliot's contract** ensures that the Rangers retain a productive player from the AHL, adding depth to their defensive lineup. 3. **Will Cuylle's extension** reflects the team's investment in young talent, rewarding his breakout performance last season. These transactions indicate a proactive approach by the Rangers to build a competitive team for the future while addressing immediate needs on the roster [https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-vladislav-gavrikov, https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-derrick-pouliot, https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-will-cuylle].