It’s commerce season within the NHL and the Columbus Blue Jackets are resting one in every of their greatest defensemen forward of the upcoming deadline.
Vladislav Gavrikov will probably be scratched from the Blue Jackets’ sport in opposition to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday as a result of “trade-related causes,” because the 27-year-old will virtually definitely get moved forward of March 3. Gavrikov carries a $2.8-million cap hit and is slated to grow to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season, which components into why he’s some of the enticing commerce candidates.
Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets reported {that a} potential deal involving Gavrikov received’t be imminent and the Blue Jackets are defending their participant from damage earlier than any potential commerce may be accomplished.
Gavrikov has been the Blue Jackets’ greatest defenseman this season by a ways, with Zach Werenski out for the yr as a result of shoulder surgical procedure. He has recorded three objectives and 10 factors in 52 video games.
Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is on the commerce block. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
The towering blueliner logs over 22 minutes per sport and can be an amazing asset to any contending crew, with the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Oilers and Kings reported to have an interest main as much as the deadline. Gavrikov is a bodily defender who can stage opponents with crushing hits, he stays at house, he doesn’t produce significant offense and he’s ideally suited as a bottom-pair defender on a Stanley Cup hopeful.
It’s value noting the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Oilers and Kings are additionally all for Arizona’s star defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who has been on the commerce block all through the season. Arizona introduced Monday that Chychrun can be dominated out indefinitely because the crew appears to discover a commerce accomplice for the 24-year-old.
Gavrikov’s superior numbers from this season don’t paint a fairly image however he’s additionally enjoying out of his designated function, slotted in as a top-pair defender on a Blue Jackets crew that’s lifeless final within the NHL previous to Tuesday’s video games.
Although there isn’t an imminent deal in place for Gavrikov, there seems to be traction on the commerce market forward of the deadline, whereas the tanking Blue Jackets look to recoup belongings for a participant whose contract expires this summer season.
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