Philadelphia's new GM Danny Briere isn't waiting until after the Stanley Cup Final to make his moves.
The Flyers have traded defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Blue Jackets in a three-way deal involving the Kings.
The deal also involves a first-round pick going to the Flyers from the Kings, as well as goaltender Cal Petersen and defenseman Sean Walker.
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Ivan Provorov in three-team trade involving Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings.@RuoffMortgage | #CBJhttps://t.co/zLce8jA8Lv
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 6, 2023
"Improving our blue line has been a priority for us and acquiring Ivan gives us an established left-shot defenseman who is still a young player with his best seasons in front of him," Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said in a press release. "He immediately improves our group on defense as he is durable, has great skill, skates well, is an excellent passer with an accurate shot and can effectively play at both ends of the ice."
Provorov, 26, was once seen as an elite, up-and-coming defenseman for Philadelphia. In 2017-18, his second season in the league, Provorov had 17 goals and 41 points in 82 games. The Russian looked as close to a sure thing to be the Flyers' next No. 1 defenseman.
However, Provorov began plateauing, and lately, he hasn't been close to the rising young star he was when he broke into the league. Since his breakout campaign, the Russian has hit double digits in goals once and has yet to hit 40 points again.
Provorov skated in 82 games this season for the Flyers, recording six goals and 27 points. He led all skaters in Philadelphia in time on ice, averaging 23:01 a night.
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The Sporting News has more information on the Provorov trade and who else is involved.
Ivan Provorov trade details
- Blue Jackets get: D Ivan Provorov
- Flyers get: D Sean Walker, G Cal Petersen, D Helge Grans, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, conditional second-round pick in 2024 or 2025
- Kings get: D Kevin Connauton, D Hayden Hodgson, retain 30% of Provorov's contract
The Blue Jackets had reportedly been shopping aggressively for a defenseman, and get one in Provorov. Columbus' blue line has some promising prospects in the pipeline, but none that would make an immediate impact next season.
Provorov won't have to play on the top defensive pairing, as the left-side spot belongs to Zach Werenski. Instead, Provorov can slide into a second-pair role, playing behind the American blue liner. He gives them a durable, puck-moving option.
The Russian defenseman never flat-out requested a trade from the Flyers, but it was evident over the past couple of seasons that a breakup could be on the horizon.
The Kings got involved to not only take on a portion of Provorov's cap for the Blue Jackets, but also to dump some of their own.
Los Angeles cleared up some cap space by sending goaltender Cal Petersen and defenseman Sean Walker to Philadelphia. That's money that can be used towards re-signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who the Kings acquired at the 2023 deadline from the Blue Jackets.
Petersen carries a cap hit of $5 million, while Walker has one at $2.65 million. Walker will be a free agent in 2024, while Petersen will be in 2025.
The acquisition of Petersen puts Carter Hart's future in Philadelphia in doubt. There is reportedly another deal in the works that would send the Flyers starting goaltender elsewhere, freeing up the crease for Petersen to compete with Felix Sandstrom and Samuel Ersson.
In addition, the Flyers are receiving a 2023 first-round pick from the Blue Jackets. The pick was originally the Kings' first-round pick that was sent to the Blue Jackets in the Gavrikov deadline deal. They also got two second-round picks.
Ivan Provorov contract details
Provorov has two years left on his current six-year, $40.5 million deal he signed in 2019.
The deal carries a cap hit of $6.75 million for the next two years. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.