[Signed] Blue Jackets sign Vladislav Gavrikov

[Dennis]

We may not see him these playoffs but we'll more than likely see him next year. A shut down defenseman he set a record this past KHL season finishing the season a +48.


Blue Jackets sign Vladislav Gavrikov

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year entry level contract through the 2019-20 National Hockey League season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.Gavrikov, 23, was selected by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round, 159th overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft. The 6-3, 205-pound blueliner has spent six seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, registering 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points with 96 penalty minutes and a cumulative +97 plus/minus rating in 222 career games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and SKA St. Petersburg. He has added 4-8-12, 18 penalty minutes and is +13 in 57 career playoff games. This season, he tallied a career-high 5-15-20, 10 penalty minutes and led the KHL in plus/minus rating at +48 in 60 games with SKA St. Petersburg.

Vladislav is an outstanding defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice," said Kekalainen. "He is big, strong and mobile and has enjoyed a successful career in the KHL and in international competition, including winning an Olympic gold medal last year. We are very excited about his future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Yaroslavl, Russia native has represented his country at numerous international competitions, including the 2018 Olympic Games, where he collected 2-1-3, six penalty minutes and was +6 in six contests to help the Olympic Athletes of Russia win the gold medal. He also played in the 2017 and 2018 IIHF World Championships, capturing a bronze medal in 2017, and the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships, where he won a silver medal.
The Blue Jackets return to action on Sunday in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET . Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6 p.m. All Blue Jackets games televised on FOX Sports Ohio will also be streamed live via the FOX Sports app. The game may also be heard on the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.

[metaldude26]

Probably not of major fantasy relevance, especially with Jones, Werenski and Murray in tow, but I wonder if this gives them the defensive depth to make a trade should Panarin, Duchene and Dzingel all leave.

[stevegamer]

"the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network" is a mouthful.

[ericdaoust]

Nutivaara not skating this morning. Gavrikov debut coming?

[Doug Glatt]

Great player, real world. No fantasy value except in deep leagues with peripherals and +/- rating. I like the Jackets back end more than Nashville now. Bummer for SKA, they just gave up their best offensive and defensive players to the NHL. Soon to be followed by their best G, Shesterkin.

[finnys_fanatsy]

"the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network" is a mouthful.

Lol..kinda just rolls off the tongue eh

[Doug Glatt]

"the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network" is a mouthful.

Its really heart-warming to see how greedily the NHL is grasping those gambling dollars. At least one league has dropped the hypocrisy surrounding sports betting and has embraced the future.