NHL Insider reveals one defenseman the Leafs have checked in on
Last night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets left shooting defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. The buds are not the only Canadian team who have interest in the Gavrikov, as Friedman revealed the Oilers have also checked in on the gritty defensemen.
Friedman went on to say that the Blue Jackets would be looking for a similar return that Ben Chiarot garnered last season for the Montreal Canadiens. Chiarot was acquired at last years trade deadline by the Florida Panthers for a first and a third round draft pick. Additionally, Friedman said the Blue Jackets would allow teams to speak with Gavrikov regarding a contract extension prior to making a trade.
Gavrikov was originally drafted by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2015 NHL entry draft. The now 27-year-old spent five seasons in the KHL before joining Columbus in the 2019-20 season.
The 6-foot-3, 221 pound Gavrikov is in the final year of a contract that carries a very affordable cap hit of $2.8 million. He is averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game this season (second on the Jackets) and is known for playing a gritty style of play.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 22 | 150 ANSWERS NHL Insider reveals one defenseman the Leafs have checked in on Will Gavrikov be a Leaf this season? | ||
| Yes | 38 | 25.3 % |
| No | 112 | 74.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
