Player Discussion: Ivan Provorov

[CBJWerenski8]

Although I’d like to keep him, it really does feel like the organization has always planned to trade him ever since they got him.

They have Mateychuk. They extended Christiansen. They traded for Hunt and Harris (even if they were just a throw in). They have Svozil and others in the wings in Cleveland. And they have a ton of cap space.

 

[Xoggz22]

Although I’d like to keep him, it really does feel like the organization has always planned to trade him ever since they got him.

They have Mateychuk. They extended Christiansen. They traded for Hunt and Harris (even if they were just a throw in). They have Svozil and others in the wings in Cleveland. And they have a ton of cap space.

I think the continued ascension of Mateychuk probably has them feeling he can take on more next year and Jake is good enough for bottom pairing/7th Dman that they can still go get someone for a couple year to play on the 2nd pair if Mateychuk has any struggles. I don't think they'll look to sign anyone long term on the left side but I still feel the right side needs work - short and long term. Until the next wave comes, I think they need another top 4 type to play big minutes. If Provorov were interested in a 2-3 year deal I would love that, but I don't see it

 

[majormajor]

For me it's not a left-side vs right-side issue. I don't think Provorov is the shutdown type of guy that we should be investing in.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

For me it's not a left-side vs right-side issue. I don't think Provorov is the shutdown type of guy that we should be investing in.

his value definitely comes from his versatility and adaptability rather than him specializing in a particular role. which, in theory, makes him more valuable in the right circumstances.

it's all dependent on whether evason's ice time distribution (heavily skewed towards the top four, very little for #5/6) is a product of the current roster or if that's how he wants to run things.

if it's the former, they could target a rugged third pair LHD and cobble together a shutdown third pair. basically filling that gap short-term and adding depth.

werenski - fabbro​

mateychuk - provorov​

TBD LHD* - severson/gudbranson​

​

*targets: ian cole, carson soucy, alec martinez ​

this approach is the most cost-effective in terms of assets, assuming provorov is open to a short-term, high-AAV extension. it also insulates them from injury impact, as provorov can play up or in a more offensively-minded role if called upon to do so.

I also don't think adding a shutdown-focused top-four RHD is mutually exclusive with keeping provorov around. they could instead embrace the lineup construction that we've seen from recent contenders:

• 1st pair: elite two-way defenseman w/ a complimentary partner
• 2nd pair: rugged shutdown pair
• 3rd pair: offensive puck mover + mobile low-event partner

if they want to maximize their chances this year they could accomplish this by finding a shutdown partner for provorov instead of mateychuk, and letting mateychuk be that puck-moving third pair guy. that would be something like:

​

werenski - fabbro​

provorov - TBD RHD*​

mateychuk - severson/gudbranson​

​

*targets: colton parayko, connor murphy, ryan pulock​

this is almost certainly the least cost-efficient route and may require them to keep provorov as an in-house rental, but they could recoup some of that value in the summer with a UFA signing + potential severson + gudbranson trades.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

They have Mateychuk. They extended Christiansen. They traded for Hunt and Harris (even if they were just a throw in). They have Svozil and others in the wings in Cleveland. And they have a ton of cap space.

christiansen has been brutal for about 2-3 months at this point, imo he should only be viewed as a #7 at most. and harris is currently their #9 in a group that includes christiansen and jack johnson. he's headed to the jake bean zone (getting non-tendered) this summer.

don waddell has a ways to go still before this is his roster on the blue line, imo. werenski is a building block and mateychuk looks like an elite game controlling defenseman in the making. fabbro should be seen as a long-term guy and should be the biggest priority UFA extension right now.

beyond that? I'd be shocked if more than one of provorov/severson/gudbranson is on the roster next year, and wouldn't be surprised if none of them are.