The top four defensemen available from the Columbus Blue Jackets are of interest to the Oilers.
Liam McCormick first posted this on Oilers Daily. It was last updated on October 24, 24.
Before the playoffs this year, the Edmonton Oilers are obviously in need of a seasoned defenseman, and one outstanding prospect could have recently entered the trade market.
According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, several NHL teams are calling the Columbus Blue Jackets about acquiring defenceman Ivan Provorov in a trade.
Provorov, a 27-year-old left-handed defenseman, was previously selected by the Philadelphia Flyers with the seventh overall choice in the 2015 NHL Draft. With 17 goals in his sophomore NHL season and junior career, Provorov had great potential to be a star player, but he has more significantly matured into a two-way defense. He has spent the majority of his career on underperforming Flyers and Blue Jackets teams, frequently finding it difficult to provide respectable analytical stats.
Provorov is appealing, though, as a player who has been counted on to play about 30 minutes every night for a very reasonable $4.725M approach. Provorov may fetch a higher price for any club hoping to acquire him since Columbus might be hesitant to sell him, according to the Fourth Period. Contract talks with Columbus, of course, may make matters more difficult.
“Provorov will be highly sought for as the trade deadline of March 7th approaches. However, it seems to me that the Blue Jackets might not be prepared to move him just yet.
By way of The Fourth Period, Pierre LeBrun
Provorov had a respectable season with the Blue Jackets last season, with a -11 rating while tallying 5 goals and 32 points.
Although the Oilers’ primary need is for a right-sided defenseman, Provorov’s experience and salary cap cost make him a strong contender for the team’s defense.
