Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Vladislav Gavrikov and the New York Rangers are staring at a no-move clause crossroads, and Mike Rupp says the Artemi Panarin trade changed the math.
That’s a big statement, because Gavrikov’s deal is built to make moving him almost impossible without his say-so.
Then the rug got pulled when the Rangers shipped Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings right before the Olympic break.
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Rupp’s angle is pretty human. He suggested Panarin, a fellow Russian, was a major reason Gavrikov wanted New York in the first place.
If that bond mattered, losing Panarin can make the whole situation feel different fast.
It also lines up with where the Rangers are headed. They’ve publicly leaned into a retool, and the room is changing by the week.
Vladislav Gavrikov can change the New York Rangers timeline
Rangers fans are already uneasy, because when a top-pair defenseman even flirts with “waive,” it screams that the plan is bigger than a quick patch.
From the team’s side, you can see why this topic comes up. A $7 million cap hit with term is a major roster pillar, or a major escape hatch. While Gavrikov’s side, it’s about direction. If he signed to chase big games in New York, a longer retool can feel like a different job.
This doesn’t mean a trade is imminent. It means the one hard barrier, the no-move clause, might not be as ironclad as it looked a month ago.
Once the break ends, this becomes a real test of intent. If Gavrikov truly considers waiving, the Rangers suddenly have options they didn’t have on paper.
And if he doesn’t, the front office has to build the next version with him locked into the foundation, whether the timeline feels comfortable or not.
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
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Rumor: Insider confirms Rangers defenseman is considering waiving his NMC following Artemi Panarin trade
Will Vladislav Gavrikov actually waive his no-move clause for the New York Rangers?