The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov to a three-year, $8.4 million contract, the team announced Thursday.
Gavrikov scored five goals and added 13 assists in 69 games played for Columbus during the 2019-20 season. The 24-year-old led all Blue Jackets rookies in assists and time on ice (18:59 per game), while ranking second in points (18) and shots on goal (81). He added one goal and two assists in 10 playoff outings.
“Vladimir Gavrikov was everything we hoped he would be during his rookie season last year, establishing himself as a top four defenceman in the National Hockey League,” Jarmo Kekalainen, the Blue Jackets’ general manager, said in a press release. “He is still a young player that we expect will get better every year and continue to be an important part of our blue line.”
The Yaroslavl, Russia native was drafted by Columbus in the sixth round, 159th overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft.
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