The New York Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov — considered the top defensive free agent available after three seasons with the Kings — to a seven-year contract.

The Rangers got their man by signing coveted free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov out of Los Angeles shortly after the market opened at noon. The contract for the 29-year-old Russian, who is slated to become Adam Fox’s partner on what should be the club’s matchup pair,

Re-signing the defenseman was a top priority for both the Kings’ former and new GM, and his exit leaves the team with a big defensive hole.