Confirmed with Link: Ivan Provorov Signs Extension - 6 Years/$40.5M ($6.75AAV)

[deadhead]

One of my favorite fake narratives is that Provorov had to hinder his offense in the past, playing a more stay at home role. Dude has always activated offensively like a mad lad. Nothing stay at home about him.

When Ivan is at his best, he's partnered with another confident defenseman who doesn't simply defer to him. It removes Provorov from some of his bad hero habits. Like Niskanen, for example, knows he can make confident plays on breakouts or in the o-zone, and he's not there to handhold. So, you see more of a reciprocal partnership. Though to be fair, Niskanen has stifled a plethora of odd man rushes. At his confident peak, Ghost's pure skill would also allow Provorov to play more within himself as well. And in that 17-18 season, both prospered from it. Their 5 man cycle offense with G-Coots-TK was like a PP.

TLDR: Niskanen and Provorov are playing great individually. Little surprised to see they're a little in the red in relxGF% together, when each is +8-10% apart. They look great; probably fluky.

Provorov is definitely skating more this year, he seems more confident handling the puck. Not going to credit Niskanen, but having a veteran who knows when to CYA certainly doesn't discourage him from being more aggressive.

The guy who is worrisome is Sanheim, he's the weak line on that pair, he's gone from a confident offensive defenseman a couple weeks ago to a turnover machine. Since he's been with Braun through both phases of play, and Braun doesn't seem to be any different, must be something mental with Travis.

 

[Striiker]

Visually, the 2017-2018 pair was more impressive than this years pair. They were awesome in all 3 zones and perfectly complimented each other.

Lets see if the stats support that this years pair is better than 2017-2018s.

Provorov-Ghost - 2017-2018 (with a weaker roster and Hakstol as coach)
CF%: 53.24
xGF%: 53.10
HDCF%: 56.03
CF/60: 57.21
xGF/60: 2.15
HDCF/60: 10.29
CF%rel: 4.31
xGF%rel: 4.77
HDCF%rel: 8.17


Provorov-Niskanen - 2019-2020
CF%: 52.55
xGF%: 49.67
HDCF%: 52.54
CF/60: 56.84
xGF/60: 2.16
HDCF/60: 10.07
CF%rel: 0.99
xGF%rel: -0.99
HDCF%rel: 2.68


2017-2018 Provorov: 0.439 EVP/GP
2019-2020 Provorov: 0.300 EVP/GP


¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Provorov was just as good back then as he is now and that Ghost guy doesn't suck either. Play good players with other good players and good things happen.

 

[Sombastate]

If i ever get married Provorov is going on my Laminate List

 

[Captain Dave Poulin]

I hope that whatever kept it away all this time returns to keep it away again.

 

[Magua]

I hope that whatever kept it away all this time returns to keep it away again.

Sounds like an epic tale meant for the new “Sci-Fi and Fantasy Thread.”

 

[deadhead]

Of course, in 2017-18, Provorov-Ghost played a lot with G & Couts.
And Hakstol's offense was very friendly for defensemen scoring stats, compare scoring by D-men under him compared to AV's teams.

Natural Stat Trick
2019-20 (5x5):
Provorov: CF 53.91%, xGF 53.90%, HDCF 55.49%
Niskanen: CF 52.30%, xGF 52.62%, HDCF 52.63%
Paired: CF 52.55%, xGF 49.67%, HDCF 52.54%

However, they took some time to be acclimated with each other:
first 20 games: CG 49.50%, xGF 46.27%, HDCF 50.70%
last 10 games: CF 57.14%, xGF 55.15%, HDCF 55.32%

2017-18 (5x5)
Provorov: CF 49.37%, xGF 48.38%, HDCF 48.66%
Ghost: CF 51.29%, xGF 51.55%, HDCF 52.22%
Paired: CF 53.24%, xGF 53.10%, HDCF 56.03%

 

[BritainStix]

I love Provorov and want him to remain a flyer for life. That is all. Talk about getting his mojo back.