The NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are signaling a willingness to shake things up. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov is available for the right price.
Provorov, a former 7th overall pick, has been a mainstay on the Blue Jackets blueline this year. His physicality, defensive awareness, and ability to log heavy minutes have made him a valuable asset. However, his current season has been a bit underwhelming. Provorov has tallied 3 goals and 14 assists in 55 games, a drop-off from his usual offensive production.
The Blue Jackets front office may be looking to clear space for promising young defenseman Denton Mateychuk. Mateychuk, selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL entry draft, has the potential to be a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman. Pushing Provorov out of the lineup would give Mateychuk the necessary ice time to develop.
Ivan Provorov on the Trade Block: What Are the Blue Jackets Looking For?
So, what would it take to land Provorov? The asking price is believed to be a first-round pick or a similarly high-quality young player. Provorov, in his prime, still carries a retained cap hit of $4.725 million through the 2024-25 season. Teams in win-now mode looking for defensive reinforcement might see this as a price worth paying.
Contenders like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers could be potential suitors. Each team could use another experienced, top-four defenseman for their playoff push.
This is a developing situation to watch closely as the March 8th trade deadline nears.
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