Despite the fact that they only acquired him this off-season, it could make sense for the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets to make defenseman Ivan Provorov available to interested parties at the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline.
The Blue Jackets made some big moves this off-season in hopes of improving their defensive unit and making a return to the postseason. Moves to acquire Provorov as well as right-handed defender Damon Severson have not paid off in the way that the team hoped, and they're a small part of the reason that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was fired last month.
Related Article: Columbus Blue Jackets Fire GM Jarmo Kekalainen, Usher in New Era
While they entered this season with high hopes, the Blue Jackets are currently in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 19-28-10, and only the San Jose Sharks have given up more goals this season.
Without a full-time general manager in place, the Blue Jackets are sure to be in tear-down mode at this deadline to ensure the new hire comes in with a stocked cupboard of prospects and draft assets.
There's already a solid young core in place in Columbus, so decisions to move players like Provorov could help add even more promise to this team's future.
NHL Trade Deadline: Ivan Provorov
Contract Situation: Signed through 2025 at $6.75 million cap hit
Season Stats: 5 goals, 21 assists for 26 points in 57 games played
Possible Destinations: Toronto, Tampa Bay, Boston, Colorado, Detroit
The 2015 seventh overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers has had an up-and-down career, with his performance varying drastically, especially as the Flyers went from contending to rebuilding during his time there.
When he's on his game, Provorov is a two-way force who makes a major impact on both ends of the ice. He twice topped the 35-point mark during his time in Philadelphia, and has a career high of 17 goals.
The 2019-2020 season was the last time Provorov was supported by a good team around him, and he was outstanding for the Flyers that year, allowing just 2.21 expected goals against at 5-on-5 while he was on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.
He put up that mark while taking on the toughest assignments in a brutal division, and the Flyers were in second place in the Metropolitan before the league shut down due to the pandemic.
While Provorov has not played that well since then, it's not as though he has aged out of that capability, as he's still just 27 years of age.
More likely, he's the type of player who can influence possession and quality on both ends of the ice, but needs the support of at least competent play around him for that to show up.
If Columbus does opt to blow things up and move him out, they could choose to retain some of his salary for this season and the next, opening up an interesting market of possible suitors.
All three non-Florida playoff teams in the Atlantic Division in Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Boston are in the market for defensive help and all have needs beyond this season. A discounted Provorov via salary retention could prove to be an enticing idea for those clubs and a few more.
Read More: NHL Trade Deadline: Flames D Chris Tanev
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
