Vladislav Gavrikov

Gavrikov began the year back in Columbus, playing in 52 games and posting 10 points. He was dealt to the Kings in early March and finished with nine points in 20 games for his new club. Gavrikov was an excellent fit in LA, prompting the team to overpay ($5.875 million annually) to bring him back on a brief two-year deal. Gavrikov is going to average well over 20 minutes per game in 2023-24 and pick up his fair share of secondary points, but there's zero power-play upside here, making the 27-year-old a relatively uninspiring fantasy option.

The Jackets got all they could have possibly hoped for and then some from Gavrikov a season ago. In 80 games, he finished with career-best marks in goals (5), assists (28), points (33), shots on goal (108), average time on ice (22:18), hits (124) and blocks (138). As valuable as Gavrikov was for Columbus, a repeat performance, at least offensively, seems unlikely. He doesn't have a single power-play point in any of his first three NHL seasons, while the Jackets' No. 1 defender, Zach Werenski, is expected to return to full health. Gavrikov is going to help Columbus win hockey games but his value to your fantasy team is minimal.

Gavrikov has made a seamless transition from the KHL to the NHL, becoming a regular on the Columbus blue line over the past two seasons. He's averaged upwards of 19:00 of ice time per game in each of those two campaigns, although all that ice time hasn't led to much offensive production, as Gavrikov has managed just seven goals and 30 points in 124 games. The big Russian gets no power-play time and posts modest totals in the hit and block departments, making Gavrikov a fade in most fantasy formats despite his importance to the Jackets.

After honing his skills in the KHL for four-plus seasons, Gavrikov made the jump to North America and quickly demonstrated that he's capable of handling a top-four role. The 25-year-old mainly focused on his own end of the ice, managing just18 points in 69 games, but he was solid in all phases and formed a strong partnership with veteran David Savard. Given his size and willingness to get physical, his hit and blocked shot numbers could increase in his second campaign with Columbus, and assuming free agent-to-be Savard departs next offseason, Gavrikov figures to step in as the top stay-at-home blueliner for the Blue Jackets. The club signalled its commitment to him with a three-year contract extension in November.

The 23-year-old made his NHL debut under tough circumstances, stepping on the ice for Columbus in Game 5 of its second-round playoff series against the Bruins, but Gavrikov held his own in the postseason spotlight. A KHL veteran, he has the tools to be a solid defender in his own end in North America, using his 6-foot-3 frame and strength on his skates to push the opposition around. While he doesn't have great offensive instincts, Gavrikov is a very good skater and moves the puck up to his forwards quickly, skills that fit well in the modern NHL. The Blue Jackets' blue line corps is deep, but Gavrikov might still earn a spot on the Columbus roster for good with a strong showing in camp.