Top Two Trade Destinations Emerge for Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Ivan Provorov, per the Athletic
The Athletic revealed the two top trade destinations for the Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov.
The renowned reporters Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun worked together in a recent paper for The Athletic, in which they predicted which players should change teams by the trade deadline.
On the top of the list is the Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov.
According to LeBrun, Provorov could end up being traded to the Colorado Avalanche, while Johnston named the Tampa Bay Lightning as potential suitors to land the Russian defenseman.
LeBrun started by saying the defenseman is happy with the Blue Jackets and extension discussions could come soon. However, the Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell will certainly consider parting ways with him if he gets the right offer.
He went on to say that the Avalanche would be interesting in adding depth to the blue line, but likely won't be able to get Provorov for a first-round pick, meaning management would need to find another way to acquire him:
I quoted Provorov's agent Mark Gandler recently saying his client loves it in Columbus and is open to signing an extension there, so there will be a discussion between the club and the agent at some point soon to see if there's a longer-term fit.
My belief is they won't be in the same ballpark numbers-wise and what will be judged most prudent, in the end, by Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is to trade Provorov for the highest asset possible.
The Avs need a blue-line boost with only three D currently playing more than 20 minutes per game: Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Samuel Girard. Colorado doesn't have a first-round pick in 2025, having traded it to the Flyers last year at the deadline in the Sean Walker deal, but a 2026 first-rounder pick probably suits Columbus better anyway since the Blue Jackets already have two first-round picks this year.
I would imagine the Avs trying to find a different way to get Provorov rather than spending another first-round pick, but I love the fit. Provorov to the Avs: Let's do it.
As for Johnston, he talked about how the Lightning always looks to make major moves at trade deadlines, saying you can't go wrong by linking any top rental players to GM Julien BriseBois ahead of the deadline:
You really can't go wrong connecting one of the top rental players to Julien BriseBois' team ahead of the deadline.
Tampa Bay took a run at Noah Hanifin last season before he landed in Vegas and has only drafted one player in the first round since 2019 because it has consistently used that pick to make improvements ahead of the playoffs.
Provorov is an all-situations defender who typically plays the right side as a left-hand shot and would comfortably slot into the Lightning's top four.
He'd also give them some insurance in case it takes J.J. Moser some time to get back up to speed following a significant lower-body injury. Moser's been given a recovery timeline of eight to 10 weeks and may not play again before March.
It'll be interesting to see what the Blue Jackets decide to do with Provorov this season.
Stay tuned for further updates.
