Columbus Blue Jackets: 3 contract extensions that should happen in 2020

2. Vladislav Gavrikov

The Columbus Blue Jackets had various players emerge as pleasant surprises this season. None of them were more pleasant or a bigger surprise than defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Before this season, he was a bit of an unknown, even after playing in two games during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Not only did Gavrikov earn himself a spot on the Blue Jackets opening night roster, he has appeared in all but one of their 70 games this season. He’s one of the four Blue Jackets players to miss no fewer than one game.

Gavrikov proved he belonged in the NHL by showing how he can be effective in all three zones. He had 18 points despite not getting much power-play time, which for a defenseman, isn’t too shabby. Gavrikov’s 14 5v5 points this season rank second among Blue Jackets defensemen, trailing only Zach Werenski. He also proved to be a capable penalty killer.

Now, keeping Gavrikov actually won’t be that hard because, unlike Shore, Gavrikov doesn’t have arbitration rights. This should keep his price down and the Blue Jackets won’t even have to expose him to other teams to keep him.

Most likely, the Blue Jackets would like to give him a bridge deal and see how he does in an expanded role. But I believe they would be smart to see what a long-term deal (four or five years) would cost because he could be a very nice bargain.