With Mike Babcock expected to be named Columbus Blue Jackets head coach later this summer, the Blue Jackets have made a major push to improve their roster for his first season as head coach.
In a trade officially announced by all three involved teams, Columbus is acquiring defenseman Ivan Provorov from the Philadelphia Flyers, but there are a lot of moving parts to the deal. Here are the full details as told by the team announcement:
Philadelphia trades Ivan Provorov and Hayden Hodgson to Los Angeles in exchange for Calvin Petersen, Sean Walker, Helge Grans and the Kings’ 2024 second-round pick. Columbus acquires Kevin Connauton from Philadelphia in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick (22nd overall) and conditional second-round pick in either the 2024 or 2025 NHL Draft. Columbus acquires Provorov from Los Angeles in exchange for Connauton.
The Kings are retaining 30% of Provorov’s deal, meaning he’ll cost $4.725MM against the cap for Columbus for the next two seasons.
Laid out plainly, here is what each team is acquiring as part of this deal:
Columbus gets: Provorov. Philadelphia gets: Petersen, Grans, Walker, 2023 1st (via CBJ via LA), 2024 2nd (via LA), conditional 2nd (via CBJ). Los Angeles gets: Hodgson, Connauton.
Columbus’ acquisition of Provorov should not come as a surprise, as it was reported months ago that the team had an interest in acquiring a defensive upgrade to fill the void left by their trade of Vladislav Gavrikov to Los Angeles. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has found his upgrade in Provorov, 26.
Provorov was the seventh-overall pick at that 2015 draft and at times looked to be a potential top-of-the-lineup, all-situations force for Philadelphia. He averages over 24 minutes per night for his career, and has a career-high of 17 goals and 41 points.
But in recent seasons, as the Flyers themselves have descended from consistent playoff team to league basement-dweller, Provorov’s form has declined and this season he played a full minute less per game than his career average, earning 23:01 time on ice per contest.
As Provorov’s inconsistency became harder and harder to ignore and the Flyers organization began to pivot to more of a rebuild-like direction, it became clear that a change of scenery would likely be in the best interest of all parties.
Now Provorov gets his change of scenery with two seasons remaining on his contract. He’ll land in Columbus, where he’ll be slotted more appropriately as the team’s number-two left-shot defenseman behind franchise face Zach Werenski.
Assuming Werenski can return to form next season after an injury cost him most of his 2022-23, Provorov will be in a more comfortable position as a second-pairing anchor. It’s likely that the Blue Jackets believe he’ll be able to reach the heights he hit earlier in his career in that position sort of position, when he’s not being leaned on as his coach’s number-one option.
For the Kings, the motivations behind this deal seem relatively clear. First and foremost, creating cap space was an important priority, and is something the Kings have done by sending Petersen and his $5MM AAV deal to the Flyers.
Petersen once looked like a potential successor to Jonathan Quick for the Kings, posting a solid .911 save percentage in 35 games in 2020-21. Since that point, though, Petersen has declined sharply and this season spent most of the year in the AHL as he had a grisly .868 save percentage in his 10 NHL games. Now Petersen will get a fresh start in Philadelphia while the Kings clear his hefty cap hit off their books, save for any money they retain. (which will be revealed when the official trade details come in)
Cap space is of importance to the Kings as they are looking to sign an extension with Gavrikov, their mid-season trade acquisition. ESPN’s John Buccigross on Twitter cited a conversation with a Kings executive who pegged the cost of Gavrikov’s contract extension to be in the “$6-7 million” range, with the team preferring to keep the number as early in the $6MM range as possible. If the Kings do end up finalizing that sort of contract extension with the 27-year-old Russian rearguard, this trade of Petersen is an essential one.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that Gavrikov is “only interested in a two-year contract extension with the Kings,” which could contribute to the higher price tag Buccigross is reporting, as the conventional wisdom is that short-term contracts for coveted players who are in their prime would carry higher average annual values than the more traditional long-term commitments.
Meanwhile, the trade of Walker (reportedly to Philadelphia) is no surprise seeing as the Kings have been long expected to deal from their surplus of right-shot NHL-ready blueliners. With Sean Durzi a breakout talent and 22-year-old Jordan Spence clearly ready to take on the challenge of the NHL, it seems Walker was the odd man out in the team’s right-shot defensive picture.
Walker is a 28-year-old undrafted Bowling Green State University product who is making $2.65MM against the cap for one more season. He scored 13 points in 70 games this season and contributed to the team’s penalty kill, but his average ice time was cut from 18:22 per game last year to just 14:50 this season.
Perhaps he’ll be able to earn a larger role in Philadelphia, or the Flyers could even opt to flip him to another team to earn even more draft capital to further their rebuild process.
They’ll also get Connauton, a 33-year-old defender with 360 games of NHL experience on a $762.5k cap hit for next season. He scored 15 points in 63 games in 2022-23 for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, and it was his first season since 2013 spent without a single NHL game played. He’ll likely play with the Ontario Reign in the AHL and add to the Kings’ defensive depth.
Hodgson, 27, has just seven games of NHL experience but scored 19 goals and 31 points in 46 AHL games in 2021-22. His point total dropped to eight this past year, but perhaps the physical forward can return to AHL prominence in Ontario.
For Philadelphia, this deal is all about adding as much draft and prospect capital to further their rebuild under new GM Daniel Briere. Getting a first-rounder in a highly-regarded draft is a solid return for Provorov, and the additional two second-rounders are a great bonus. Grans has had an uneven time in the AHL with the Kings organization, but he’s still just 21 years old and was the 35th overall pick at the 2020 draft. He’s a talented prospect who could quickly put himself in the Flyers’ blueline mix.
This trade is Briere’s first move in what is likely to be a summer of major change for the Flyers. If they are indeed pursuing a complete rebuilding process, (perhaps including a trade of netminder Carter Hart, who has been the subject of “industry rumblings” about a potential trade) this is a strong first transaction to get that rebuild started.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the deal taking place. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, and ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski each first reported other elements of the deal.
Kewl. First Babcock and now a homophobe. Way to go, Jarmo. Team of D*cks.
thats a little vague, Not everyone has to support LGBT+ whatever alphabet they add, not everyone has to protest and an activist, you and all those other cry babies are real d*cks and fascists
clearly you don’t know the definition of fascism
Cancel culture = fascism
Idiot
How is Provorov homophobic? How dare he stand up for what he believes in. Idiot
He refused to participate in Pride Night. In what world is that not homophobia? Generally curious to know what your definition is.
So if you don’t attend a spider rally and wear spider paraphernalia does that automatically make you arachnophobic??? No it does not. It simply means you have no desire to participate. Contrary to the beliefs of some, you can have zero opinion on an issue, which doesn’t make you afraid of it or anti it.
Why does anyone have to support lgbtq if they don’t want to? What does your gender or who you have sex with have anything to do with hockey? Good for Provorov for having a mind of his own amd saying no. Idc what people do but if my company told me I had to wear a shirt or a patch I would tell to f-off to. Are people who don’t support the movement not allowed to have there own beliefs? Isn’t the entire lgbtq movement about respecting peoples beliefs and feelings and being treated equal? So to attack someone who doesn’t want to support it pretty hypocritical no?
I hate to break this to you but most pro athletes are. If you look to athletes to share your views you’re going to have a bad time
Not participating in something doesn’t mean you’re against it. There’s lots of stuff I don’t give a crap about and don’t want to devote any energy to. Doesn’t mean I’m against their cause or other people participating in it.
Now, he might well be homophobic, but him choosing not to participate in pride night isn’t necessarily proof of it.
Not to mention they put these players in a difficult bind when going home to Russia. These teams and leagues need to quit forcing things on players, like the fiasco the Dodgers put themselves in.
I think “not having an opinion” on something is some lazy BS. Wanna comment? Have an opinion! Grow up!
You aren’t entitled to anyone’s opinion just because you demand it. If people want to keep things private that’s their choice.
Punk comment
What’s the “+” stand for? I think we all know!
That makes as much sense as saying if someone doesn’t celebrate Christmas that they’re then Christophobic. Any freedom loving person should be against forced participation.
CaNcEl CuLtUrE
Provorov can believe and do whatever he wants. People can support or criticize him however they want. ‘Merica.
Plus I was pissed at the deal, so maybe the reaction was too strong.
But do a little research on Russian Orthodoxy, which he cited as his reason, and then tell me it isn’t homophobic. And you also don’t understand what a fascist is.
Both can be true.
Well I guess the Bible is “homophobic” then too. You may want to take that up with God.
Look. My wife and I’ve been a Pride activist. But this isn’t even a matter of Provorov coming out and saying “Kill the queers!” It’s that he declines to be compelled to wear a Pride jersey. Fair enough: this is a free country, unlike Russia, where people are still thrown in prison for public support of such things, and which has more than one Russian athlete than Provorov gunshy about the issue.
Nha Trang, I think that is exactly the point in regards to his reluctance to wear the jersey in a pregame skate. He may not be homophobic, but wearing it gives off the appearance to those back home he is in support of it which puts him in a precarious position. The league/NHLPA need to ensure players are subjected to this.
God didn’t write it, and no.
Prove it!
In terms of the deal I think it isn’t bad for you. At the contract you will be paying him you will get a really good 2nd pair defenseman for a little over $4 mil a year.
Prove He did.
To quote Pete Rose, “how can I prove a negative?”
Not saying he’s homophobic for his actions but comparing it to a spider rally and wearing spider clothes is a major false equivalency lol
I could go on a lengthy discourse proving the validity and accuracy of scripture, but I doubt you would be open minded enough to consider any of it.
That’s a truly ignorant take. I assume you’re just getting a jab in at someone.
Wokeism is an overreaction to persecution such as fascism. It can be annoying and harmful.
Actual bigotry such the odd anti LGBTQ push in Florida is much worse because it will affect children and because it attacks an entire segment of the population. This leads to mob mentality and the mob can be mobilized to do all sorts of dangerous or violent acts.
LGBTQ people exist. And as much as that makes it difficult to find the balance between what are human rights vs special privileges that sort of balance takes time to take shape.
And cancel culture is largely a myth in any case. The victims tend to be wealthy established folks who are resistant to adapting. They get dropped from a show and complain. Then they make a comeback sometime later. In any case they are likely much wealthier than you or I will ever be so your anger at cancel culture is likely actually anger at something else.
Cancel culture is a myth and those that get dropped make comebacks later? You sure about that? Can you name some examples? If you’ve got conservative views you’re likely done in Hollywood, media, entertainment, etc. You’re dropped and never coming back.
Cancel culture sure is not a myth. We’re seeing it in vast amounts in places like Florida, Texas and a whole lot of red states, where support for LGBTQ means you’re a “liburyal!!” to be shunned, where grownups playing dress-up are drawing state laws prohibiting them from doing so, where books are banned in increasing numbers, where wearing a mask during COVID meant you were one of Them!, where governors go after corporations for no other reason than revenge for political stances the pols don’t like (and so much for it being the party of “business”), countless other examples …
… oh, wait. You were talking about cancel culture being a bad thing when it went against YOUR politics. Right. Sure. Of course. Carry on.
@nha
Well said
I see why you are a weasel. There are no killer Christians burning crosses on ABC peoples front lawns! Christians exist too! It is your propaganda and cancel culture that is trying make traditional Christians a none factor in an America that as founded on Judeo-Christian values and became the greatest nation in the world because of that. Well you are succeeding in the big cities, all the decadence and crime and corruption are because of leftists like you! I could care less what sexuality or gender an adult person becomes, But keep your sexual hands off our children!
Johnny Z speaks truth!
Kinda deluded there if you think this country is become LESS rabidly Christian. And c’mon … why mention “Judeo” Christian values? Your average red stater, after all, has little use for Jews.
But “decadence and crime and corruption” in the big cities? Hrm. Want to know how many school shootings have taken place in rural red states lately? Over SIXTY, from 2020 on forward. Kids gunned down in such liberal big cities like Uvalde, TX and Orangeburg, SC, like Humboldt, TN and Bridgewater, VA, like Pine Bluff, AK and Humble, TX. So many more.
But right, I forgot. That doesn’t count. That’s just kids whose blood is on the ground, and you can’t blame liberals for that, so everyone should pretend it isn’t happening, right?
Red states, but most are very blue shooters. I suppose you support the trans person that murdered 9 yr olds in the Christian school in Tenn, since you mentioned it.
Great going Jonesy, Danny. This needed to happen.
will be interesting to see what clb sends LAs way. Also with Petersen going to Phil, have to think this could potentially be a precursor to a Hart trade unless someone is retaining salary
I mean, Peterson was just sent though waivers. It’s a money thing most likely. I’d assume that is also the case with Walker.
Kings got much needed salary cap relief. They’re not getting anything in return.
Not necessarily re: Hart. Peterson was stashed in the AHL and is basically salary filler for the Flyers who also shed a slightly bloated contract. What they care about the most are the sweeteners: 1st, 2nd, and prospect.
FYI, the 1st is originally LA’s and CBJ received it for Gavrikov.
It’s not a money thing. A lot of the reporters involved said that a Carter Hart trade is being worked on it’s just not at the finish line yet. Cal will be in a tandem with Ersson, but you are right in that it doesn’t matter. His deal will be over before the flyers are even ready to contend again.
And then adding to that return they will get more assets coming in with Hart to help the rebuild too.
I saw one report from only sort of a reputable source that tweeted it was being worked on, while everyone else says they aren’t actively engaged in Hart trade talks but are open for business. A Hart deal doesn’t sound imminent.
Yeah they kind of pulled things back to saying it’s 50/50 now, but I wonder if that is more Danny posturing that he isn’t just going to give him away to try and get more in a trade. There’s been a lot written though from Philly area journalists that the Flyers are high on Ersson and some other goalies in the system so I wouldn’t be surprised if they move him.
Fine return, but would have been better if the team didn’t wait so long. Spectacor sucks, as does CF.
BRING OUT YOUR BUSTS
BRING OUT YOUR BUSTS
WE’LL TAKE YOUR BLOATED CONTRACTS FOR $999,999 PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Fletcher traded away the Flyers’ next two 2nds (Risto, Tony D) and picked up a top 10 protected 2024 1st from Florida (Giroux). Kings and Jackets only have their own 2nds.
so what is LA getting. they must be getting something back, even if it’s just a 7th rounder
good ol’ “future considerations”!
They got Provorov, then retained 30% salary and passed him to CBJ
So they got salary
2 AHLers and about 5.6M in cap space.
Not having to employ Cal Peterson
Read the article. the main move in this was moving Peterson’s albatross of a contract to free up cap space to sign Gavrikov. They also want to sign Korpisalo and Villardi is a RFA if I’m not mistaken.
Pretty surprised Blakey was able to get this done; although Helge Grans has a bright future and I wish it didn’t include him.
To CBJ: Provorov
LA retains 30% of Provorov’s salary
PHI: 1st (LA from CBJ), 2nd (CBJ), 2nd (LA), Helge Grans (RHD), Sean Walker, (RHD) and Petersen (G)
Do would this mean that Carter Hart is on the block with Peterson coming in as probably #1 in net…Great deal for the Flyers though…
Peterson is not a #1
He was waived this past year. Just makes starter money
In fact, he will likely do much worse than LA considering the team in front of him.
Samuel Ersson!
Ok
Holy the Flyers seem to have just pulled off a massive fleecing. Has Provorov not been on the decline for a few years?
Yup
Yeah, it seems that Briere made a pretty good splash with his very first move. A first and a second for Provorov is a fine return.
Good for CBJ too! A 1st and a 2nd with 30% retained, ($2.025M).
Shows what a terrible trade the Ristolainen deal was for Philly, since the returns were basically the same for him and Provorov.
All in all this is a good deal for all 3 teams. Provorov can hopefully settle in as just being a good Dman and not feel like he has to be a star. Kings get some cap relief, but gave up quite a bit to get it. And Philly gets a nice haul of assets.
I feel that CBJ overpaid, even with Provorov retained.
Maybe, but they were clear that they’d use that #22 pick on finding immediate D help and this does that. Provorov is probably a slight upgrade over Gavrikov and will cost less. They’re waiting for their young Dmen to get here so he’s a bridge and they can flip him to recoup the pick later if they want.
I knew Blakey would find a way to dump Petersen… well done, bubby! #GoKings