Player Discussion: Ivan Provorov

[SteelCityCannon]

It's some about Mateychuk but to me it's more about the overall makeup of the defense. Let me acknowledge first that Waddell seems not only open but maybe even advocating for Provorov's return. But as you all might be aware, my hang-up is that improvement has to come from somewhere, and to me Provy's spot is one that could stand improvement. And by that, in this specific case I mean a d-man with a different skill-set, a big, rangy guy who can move and who is focused on inhibiting scoring chances against. Yeah, there aren't that many obvious choices, but a handful have been named in here (mostly in the armchair GM thread).

I don't necessarily disagree, but if we could majorly improve one spot would it be Provorov, a high minutes high durability guy? Or would it be our right side currently considering of Severson, Guddy, and....?

I really think we'd regret letting Provorov walk.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I don't necessarily disagree, but if we could majorly improve one spot would it be Provorov, a high minutes high durability guy? Or would it be our right side currently considering of Severson, Guddy, and....?

I really think we'd regret letting Provorov walk.

Severson and Gudbranson are issues for sure. But they are also under contract. Which is not unworkable, just more complicated.

I think the Severson thing is going to be the most interesting thing for this off-season, at least of the things we know going in.

I don’t have an issue with Provy, only that he is a free agent and the team needs to upgrade the blueline.

 

[ViD]

Provorov’s main assets are durability and flexibility

He can give you 80 games a season at left or right side as a decent top 4 d man

Not good enough to be your #1D or PP1 QB, but extremely valuable when injuries hit

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Severson and Gudbranson are issues for sure. But they are also under contract. Which is not unworkable, just more complicated.

gudbranson isn't an issue provided that he has the proper role and partner.

problem is, that role (#3 RD) is the same as severson's ideal role, and his ideal partner (fleet-footed puck mover) is the opposite of what severson needs (steady stay-at-home).

i don't expect jordan harris to be back, but i will say, the third pair when he was with gudbranson was genuinely very good, as his mobility and playstyle covered for a lot of gudbranson's issues in a way that guys like provorov, christiansen and johnson have been unable to do over the last two years.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

gudbranson isn't an issue provided that he has the proper role and partner.

problem is, that role (#3 RD) is the same as severson's ideal role, and his ideal partner (fleet-footed puck mover) is the opposite of what severson needs (steady stay-at-home).

i don't expect jordan harris to be back, but i will say, the third pair when he was with gudbranson was genuinely very good, as his mobility and playstyle covered for a lot of gudbranson's issues in a way that guys like provorov, christiansen and johnson have been unable to do over the last two years.

Severson and Gudbranson are things that will have to have decisions made, is really what I meant. It was my way of agreeing with the poster that "improving on Provorov's slot" isn't a thing in a vacuum.

 

[ViD]

With the rising cap and the role with the team and organization, Gud’s contract is not that bad anymore.

Severson, on the other hand, is a disaster

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I repeatedly go back and forth on whether or not we should keep Provorov. I mostly lean to yes.

Hes a part of the room, he’s healthy, he’s prime aged, and plays a big role. He’d probably be the top D on the market if he got there.

Is he perfect? No. Should signing him get in the way of Fabbro? No. And no, Mateychuk shouldn’t have his growth stunted or held back by having him around either. If anything, this allows us to ease him in at the NHL level.

Tampa won a couple of cups with 3 excellent LHD (Hedman, McDonagh, Sergachev). While I do think the right side needs work, our potential left side is able to stand in there with most teams in the league.

 

[majormajor]

I repeatedly go back and forth on whether or not we should keep Provorov. I mostly lean to yes.

Hes a part of the room, he’s healthy, he’s prime aged, and plays a big role. He’d probably be the top D on the market if he got there.

Is he perfect? No. Should signing him get in the way of Fabbro? No. And no, Mateychuk shouldn’t have his growth stunted or held back by having him around either. If anything, this allows us to ease him in at the NHL level.

Tampa won a couple of cups with 3 excellent LHD (Hedman, McDonagh, Sergachev). While I do think the right side needs work, our potential left side is able to stand in there with most teams in the league.

The top D on the market is Gavrikov or Orlov if they make it. They're both better than Provorov.

I'm fine with having 3 LD of that caliber, as you mention it was the Tampa model. But none of them are actual shutdown types. Provorov is not that player. I'm only keeping him if I think he's going to get better at it, because right now he is pretty much average defensively.

Are you leaning towards keeping Provorov if it is a 7 year deal? Because I think that is what it would take. I'm adjusted to the idea of overpaying UFAs, but only for players who are solving our biggest problems, and he's not the solution defensively.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

The top D on the market is Gavrikov or Orlov if they make it. They're both better than Provorov.

I'm fine with having 3 LD of that caliber, as you mention it was the Tampa model. But none of them are actual shutdown types. Provorov is not that player. I'm only keeping him if I think he's going to get better at it, because right now he is pretty much average defensively.

Are you leaning towards keeping Provorov if it is a 7 year deal? Because I think that is what it would take. I'm adjusted to the idea of overpaying UFAs, but only for players who are solving our biggest problems, and he's not the solution defensively.

To me, years don’t mean much, it’s the AAV. Because even if things go wrong for Provorov in 2-3 years in a 6-8 year deal, I think we’d be able to move him. Especially with the cap going up like it’s supposed to.

 

[majormajor]

To me, years don’t mean much, it’s the AAV. Because even if things go wrong for Provorov in 2-3 years in a 6-8 year deal, I think we’d be able to move him. Especially with the cap going up like it’s supposed to.

I don't worry about things going horribly wrong with Provorov. He's a solid player.

I'm more concerned that we're just locking ourselves into mediocrity and we'll be unable to escape. Get a better defender, even if you have to push in some trade chips to get one.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I don't worry about things going horribly wrong with Provorov. He's a solid player.

I'm more concerned that we're just locking ourselves into mediocrity and we'll be unable to escape. Get a better defender, even if you have to push in some trade chips to get one.

The problem is we already know Provorov works. I don’t think Gavrikov is hitting the market, due to Friedman saying most believe he’s staying in LA, and although DW has history with Orlov, does he want to cash in? Is Orlov better than Provorov?

I’d rather have answers on D than go searching for potential answers. If Provorov would take 6 years at 7.5 I think I’d do it.

 

[majormajor]

The problem is we already know Provorov works.

If you like our defense the way it is, then sure Provorov works. How do you plan on making it better?

I don’t think Gavrikov is hitting the market, due to Friedman saying most believe he’s staying in LA, and although DW has history with Orlov, does he want to cash in? Is Orlov better than Provorov?

I’d rather have answers on D than go searching for potential answers. If Provorov would take 6 years at 7.5 I think I’d do it.

I'm thinking more that we go and trade for a Pelech type who offers more of a pure shutdown game. You bid on Gavrikov and Orlov (short term) but we most likely need a trade fallback. Yes Orlov is better, he's the second best D on the Canes or very close to that.

 

[ViD]

Orlov is 33 and will likely decline soon, I’d rather have Provorov