The dropoff after Vladislav Gavrikov on the left side of the Rangers defense corps is considerable and remains a priority as free agency begins at noon Wednesday.

Finishing this past season with 21-year-old Drew Fortescue and Matthew Robertson, a career AHLer up until that campaign, as their second- and third-pair lefty defensemen, respectively, the Blueshirts recognize the need to fortify the back end if the team hopes to return to contending status.

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The Rangers did add Alberts Smits, a left-handed defenseman they drafted fifth overall this past weekend, to the mix.

Depending on how training camp unfolds, it’s possible that Smits gets his opportunity sooner rather than later. There is an expectation, however, that the position will be bolstered either via free agency or a trade.