A current report by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Columbus Blue Jackets turned down a commerce supply involving defenseman Ivan Provorov from the Utah Hockey Membership. Utah was eyeing Provorov as a possible addition to strengthen their blue line however finally pivoted to buying Olli Maatta from the Detroit Crimson Wings when Columbus made it clear they weren’t able to half with Provorov.
With the Blue Jackets enjoying higher than anybody would have anticipated this season, administration is hesitant to interrupt up the roster, particularly relating to key contributors like Provorov. Regardless of being a pending UFA, Provorov goes to be an important piece in Columbus’ protection. In the event that they consider there’s an opportunity of creating the playoffs, he’ll be a giant a part of that. And, even when they don’t, whereas the feel-good story remains to be occurring after an enormous loss this summer time, Columbus isn’t taking a look at placing a damper on the positivity surrounding the group in a really troublesome time.
Moreover, with a portion of Provorov’s wage nonetheless coated (30%) by Los Angeles from a earlier commerce, his manageable cap hit makes him much more worthwhile as a commerce asset later within the season if Columbus decides to promote.
Utah Needed to Make a Transfer, They Couldn’t Look forward to Provorov
The Utah Hockey Membership, going through mounting accidents on protection, wanted to make a transfer. They didn’t need to add a participant who can be underneath contract past this season, so Maatta turned a stop-gap resolution till John Marino returns. Maatta is sound sufficient defensively to be dependable in a depth function and supplies Utah with fast reduction. He was additionally cheaper than Provorov, each by way of his cap hit and what it could have taken to persuade Columbus to let Provoro go.
Control Provorov. Relying on what Columbus does this season, the defenseman will stay a high-ticket participant to observe for groups seeking to bolster their protection forward of the commerce deadline on March 7. It’s not clear if Utah will get again into the working (probably not if their gamers are wholesome once more), however a handful of different groups in all probability will.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Interval famous: “Don Waddell is getting calls and inquiries and the workers there as properly, with respect to (Ivan) Provorov and some others, he’s going to be a excessive ticket man. He’s going to be someone loads of groups are going to be poking round on to see what that price ticket goes to be in a while within the season.”
Subsequent: 3 Takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 Kraken Win
