With the NHL season nearing the quarter point of the year, we are finding out which teams are pretenders and which are contenders.
One team that looks to be a pretender is the Columbus Blue Jackets. They have disappointed to start the year and injuries have not helped their cause.
With the Blue Jackets struggles, teams have been calling GM Jarmo Kekäläinen about the availability of Vladislav Gavrikov.
What teams are interested in a Vladislav Gavrikov trade?
The Fourth Period reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams interested in Vladislav Gavrikov. He is a sturdy, reliable, stay-at-home defenceman with an expiring $2.8 million AVV. The Leafs can absorb his Blue Jackets salary cap hit with Muzzin done for the year.
Other teams that will have interest in a Vladislav Gavrikov trade to solidify their backend are the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings and Ottawa Senators.
Gavrikov,26, who stands at 6’3, 219lbs was drafted 159th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2015 NHL entry draft. Currently over a career that spans 5 seasons, he has a total 67 points in 219 games played, and 3 playoffs points in 12 games played.
