Now this has been suggested by James Mirtle of the Athletic:
Why the Leafs should be active on the trade market before other big moveshttps://t.co/zsyUx5qyyD
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) November 1, 2022
Gavrikov is a one year rental at $2.8M, making him a pending UFA at season’s end. At half retention, this puts him at $1.4M, and a third team at $700K. The 26 year old Russian has 65 points 214 career NHL games, all with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 2015 6th rounder has round into a Top 4 Two Way Defenseman, being on a steady shutout down pair with Andrew Peeke most of the past 2 seasons.
His salary will make him attractive to teams against the cap, or in LTIR. Toronto and Columbus have a history of trades, including Nick Foligno, Mikko Lethonen, and Nathan Horton in most recent history, but don’t forget the Matt Frattin move or the pick swap involving Travis Dermott and Gabriel Carlsson.
Thoughts on the SUGGESTION? More to come…