Can New York’s Newest Defenseman Bring Out the Best in Adam Fox?
Defense is one of, if not the most important, pieces to an NHL team. Defense wins periods, defense wins games, defense wins championships; it's all about defense. Recently, the New York Rangers' defense has appeared completely invisible, a key factor in their collapse last season. As the defense just kept sinking, New York was forced to bid farewell to their captain, Jacob Trouba, as well as defensemen Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller. One of the most significant blows to these losses was New York's best defenseman, Adam Fox, losing his long-time defensive partner, Ryan Lindgren. Fox experimented last season being paired with K'Andre Miller, Carson Soucy, and Urho Vaakanainen, but none seemed to fit the familiarity Fox and Lindgren had. As New York looks to welcome its newest defenseman, Vladislav Gavrikov, who is expected to become Fox's new primary partner, has Fox finally found the right partner?
After six seasons being paired with Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox looks to find the same familiarity in Vladislav Gavrikov. There's no doubt that Adam Fox continues to be New York's best defenseman, perhaps even their best player. So, what does this mean for him when paired with a player like Gavrikov? Spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Gavrikov proved most effective with 53 points in his previous two. While nowhere near the stats Fox has earned, it gives him a pretty effective defenseman to partner with at last.
While Ryan Lindgren was no doubt a warrior for the Rangers, his effectiveness on the ice wasn't anywhere near what Adam Fox could do. Most players would take some time off after a brutal hit, but Lindgren just kept getting up, never hesitating to step in when backing up his team, a key component of what earned him respect from New York fans. His departure may have been what's best for New York's defense, but a warrior on the ice like him will never be forgotten. With Lindgren out and Gavrikov in, fans are eager to see the kind of difference they will see this season, so what exactly makes this pair something worth seeing?
Well, New York fans know exactly what to expect from their Norris Trophy winner. Now, let's combine that with Gavrikov, a defenseman known for his ability to shut other teams down. Gavrikov certainly knows how to defend his own zone, meaning Adam Fox is bound to improve, both defensively and offensively. To win it all in the future, a defenseman like Adam Fox will need to be at the top of his game, something New York fans sadly couldn't see last year, but this season may bring out the best of him. Since his time in New York, Fox has shown an elite level while being paired with Lindgren, but a player like Gavrikov may just be able to awaken something even greater within the 27-year-old. As a new season is only weeks away, fans wait anxiously to see if this defensive pair will turn young Adam Fox into the superstar they know he can be.
