The New York Rangers have been making significant moves in the early days of free agency, reshaping their roster with a mix of signings and trades. The most notable developments include the addition of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, the trade of K’Andre Miller, the signing of Taylor Raddysh, and the re-signing of Will Cuylle.
The Rangers have signed Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract. The deal carries an average annual value of $7 million. Gavrikov, a 29-year-old defenseman, is expected to play alongside Adam Fox on the top defensive pair. Over the past three years, Gavrikov has tallied 22 goals and 105 points in 311 games between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings. He has also averaged over 22 minutes a night, with 507 blocked shots and 303 hits. Gavrikov improved dramatically upon his move to Los Angeles, managing a 53.5% CorsiFor% at even strength and an on-ice save percentage of 91.4%. The contract includes a full no-movement clause for the first five years, followed by a 20-team modified no-trade clause in the sixth year and a 15-team modified no-trade clause in the seventh.
In a significant move to create cap space, the Rangers traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in a sign-and-trade deal. Miller signed an eight-year, $60 million contract with the Hurricanes, carrying an average annual value of $7.5 million. In exchange, the Rangers received defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional 2026 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick. The first-round pick is conditional; if Carolina has two picks in the top 10 in 2026 or 2027, New York will receive the better of Carolina's or Dallas'. Miller, who was drafted 22nd overall in 2018, had 36 goals and 96 assists in 368 regular-season games with the Rangers.
To bolster their bottom-six forward group, the Rangers signed Taylor Raddysh to a two-year, $3 million contract, with an average annual value of $1.5 million. Raddysh, 27, is coming off a season with the Washington Capitals where he recorded seven goals and 20 assists in 80 games. Raddysh has 43 goals and 57 assists in 305 career games. The Rangers also signed defenseman Derrick Pouliot to a two-year, two-way contract and veteran center Justin Dowling to a two-year contract.
The Rangers re-signed Will Cuylle to a two-year, $7.8 million contract, with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle, a 23-year-old power forward, has outperformed his draft stock since being drafted 60th overall in 2020. In 2024-25, Cuylle scored 20 goals and 25 assists in 82 games, tying for fifth in team scoring. His new deal is back-loaded, giving him a $4.68 million salary and a corresponding qualifying offer upon expiry in 2027, where he will also have salary arbitration rights.
These moves reflect the Rangers' efforts to retool after missing the playoffs in the 2024-25 season. With a mix of veteran additions and the retention of young talent, the Rangers are aiming to improve their defensive strength and bottom-six depth.
