Trade Proposal: Would the Rangers trade for Star $11.7 Million defenseman from the Kings?

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Joshua Deeds
October 29, 2024 (9:22 PM)

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The New York Rangers are still within their Stanley Cup contention this season and could use some help on their blueline.

Heavy.Com used PuckPedia's "PuckGM" Tool which lets you make trades for talent in the NHL.

The deal they proposed would see the Rangers trade for Vladislav Gavrikov, who is a top-pairing defenseman with the Los Angeles Kings.

They would send Ryan Lindgren who has had some injury issues and is on a prove-it deal with the Rangers.

Rangers acquire:

Vladislav Gavrikov ($1 million retained)
Kings acquire:

Ryan Lindgren
2026 third-round pick

The Rangers wouldn't lose much arguably if they send Lindgren, who could get a fresh start in LA. While they would receive a reliable defenseman in Gavrikov in return.

Gavrikov could end up being a rental for a cup run for the Rangers, and strengthen the right-side for the team. He would shore up the right side which already features Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox.

In his NHL career, Gavrikov has skated in 362 games recording 24 goals and 84 assists for 108 points.

Lindgren could fit into the Kings' younger defensive group at age 26, who has a cap hit of $4.5 Million and could also be a rental with the Kings if things don't work out. They would also have a draft pick attached so they could draft someone to develop, or use it in a trade for other talent, should things go south.

Lindgren A Trade Candidate

Lindgren's name has arisen in trade talks, as his play has declined and is now on the third-pairing. The move would clear his $4.5 Million cap hit, and allow the Rangers to utilize the space for another player.

NHL Analyst Eric Willsen of EmpireSportsMedia thinks New York should trade Lindgren.

«Peter Laviolette has opted to move Lindgren down to the bottom pairing, playing alongside rookie sensation Victor Mancini,» Willsen wrote. «With Lindgren being moved down to the bottom pairing, and it being a contract year for him, trade rumors have already begun to circulate. The Rangers could expect a massive trade deadline later this season, so clearing his cap hit would certainly be helpful It's still too early to tell, but a possible Lindgren trade- whether to Utah or elsewhere, is certainly likely.

The Rangers have been trying to find the right chemistry for their third pairing, and haven't had much luck.

«Listen, nobody's happy when they get scratched, that's for sure,» Jones said. «You can ask anybody in this locker room. They're not going to be happy when they're coming out of the lineup. It is what it is. It's a business decision. I kind of just took it for what it was and used it as a reset almost.

«Tried not to think about it as being the seventh or being the odd man out, more of just take a reset, take a break, clear your head a little bit and whenever I get that next opportunity take advantage of it.»

Victor Mancini has found his spot on the third pairing, while Zac Jones has been a scratch.

Gavrikov could indeed shore up the Rangers third-line and make the team deeper on defense, as well as offense.

If this is all it costs, would you trade Ryan Lindgren for Vladislav Gavrikov?