Blue Jackets sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to three-year deal

Roughly 24 hours after the Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that winger Gustav Nyquist will miss five to six months following surgery to repair a labral tear of his left shoulder, the club provided positive news for fans. 

On Thursday afternoon, Columbus announced the signing of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a three-year contract worth $8.4 million. 

Gavrikov, who turns 25 years old on Nov. 21, tallied five goals and 13 assists for 18 points with 18 penalty minutes and 18:59 time-on-ice per game in 69 regular-season contests until the NHL halted play on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

He appeared in 10 postseason games during the league's summer restart and contributed one goal and two assists with six penalty minutes and 15 shots on goal. 

"Vladimir Gavrikov was everything we hoped he would be during his rookie season last year, establishing himself as a top four defenseman in the National Hockey League," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in the prepared statement. 

"He is still a young player that we expect will get better every year and continue to be an important part of our blueline."

Selected by the Blue Jackets 159th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Gavrikov made his league debut in Game 5 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins.