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Rangers Rumoured to Have Come to Terms With Top Free Agent Early, Sparking Tampering Allegations

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 10:48 AM ET

The New York Rangers are chasing Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, and after reports it's already a done deal, tampering allegations have begun.

This off-season has already been fairly chaotic around the NHL, and with free agency opening in less than 24 hours on July 1st, it's safe to say that there's going to be a frenzy.

Some teams have reportedly already come to terms with players, sparking plenty of talk surrounding tampering in the league, with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman revealing his belief that some team in the NHL is going to get caught in the very near future, noting that the league sent around a memo this week about it.

That won't make this latest report any better, as Vince Mercogliano has reported that the New York Rangers have already agreed to terms with top free agent Vladislav Gavrikov, sparking plenty of talk about tampering.

Ahead of free agency on July 1st, teams are not officially permitted to talk to players, and if the report about it being a 'done deal' between Gavrikov and the Rangers is true, than this should be an easy opportunity for the NHL to throw the book at New York for tampering.

It's unclear exactly how much truth there is to the report, but Mercogliano has been right about plenty of Rangers news in recent times, so if the source in the organization is right, this may be a bad look for GM Chris Drury.

This comes a day after reports revealed that Vegas are in danger of a tampering punishment if Mitch Marner signs on the first day of free agency, and if Gary Bettman finds that New York have agreed to terms with Gavrikov before July 1st, don't be surprised to see a big time punishment coming their way.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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