The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Russian defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year entry deal on Saturday, making him a Blue Jacket through the 2019-20 season.
Gavrikov will be able to help the Jackets as soon as he arrives in the United States, a process Aaron Portzline says will start on Monday.
Columbus selected Gavrikov, 23, in the sixth round (159th overall) in 2015. He’s spent the last six years in the KHL, scoring 16 goals and 49 points in 222 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (two) and SKA St. Petersburg (four). Gavrikov captained SKA St. Petersburg this year, tallying 5-15-20 and leading the KHL in plus/minus (+48).
The defenseman has also amassed four goals and 12 points in 57 career playoff games, with a +13. In six Olympic games last year, he posted a 2-1-3 line with a +6 rating to help the Olympic Athletes of Russia win a gold medal.
The playoffs can be long, difficult and turn in an instant. Gavrikov can move the puck and provide depth at a position where the CBJ need it. What do you think about the addition?