PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 29: Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers warms up prior to the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Wells Fargo Center on November 29, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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“Winning, winning” Flyers star defenceman in Ivan Provorov said was the difference between this team and last year’s team earlier in the year, but the Flyers have done anything but that recently.
Provorov is 25-years-old today, yes today is his birthday. However, he gave some interesting insights into the Covid Protocols that are set forth by the NHL yesterday following practice at the Flyers Skate Zone, before the team departed for Boston for tonight’s game:
“You’re willing to play through anything, an injury, illness, and then here you get the flu and someone tells you that you can’t come back when you feel fine. Especially when you’re trying to help your team win and take pride in that.” – Ivan Provorov on his frustrations with the NHL’s Covid Protocol policy
Provorov continued, “If they say it’s a broken bone or a broken leg or something like that at least you can say; ok I can live with that. But, if it’s just the flu with a 99.9% survival rate, then everyone should play, because when other teams play us with the stomach flu for some reason they’re not cancelling the games. So why are they cancelling games now? I don’t know, something has to change, and hopefully it’s going to change soon.”
To all of our dedicated viewers, Provorov is just frustrated with the process, as he was asymptomatic. His iron man streak was also broken as he played in 403 games straight, to include a playoff game with a Grade 3 AC Separation in his shoulder in April of 2018 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All players knew something like this could happen, especially with the league shutting down from December 22-26, with games resuming on December 27 due to Covid affecting the entire league. Covid appears to be here for the long haul, and the NHL has adopted the Taxi Squad roster again this season, so teams can navigate their ways through this recent surge.
A work-horse in Provorov has every right to vent about the policy set forth by the NHL, and maybe there are some ways the NHL can improve this policy. However, we all have to be respectful for those that have lost loved ones to this ugly virus and are suffering on a daily basis from this awful virus, and yes indeed it has been deadly for some.
He has played with mainly Justin Braun as his partner this season, due to the uncertainty with Ryan Ellis. Provorov actually has only accumulated his fourth most ice time in his career averaging 24:26 on the season thus far. At times it feels like he has been on the ice for forever, so this is sort of surprising. In addition, Provorov looks more confident under this new regime of Mike Yeo and his staff, as he has netted four goals and nine assists on the season. He’s making less turnovers, playing in position, while leading the charge up the ice offensively for the Flyers at times.
Whatever the case maybe, Provorov had every right to sound off on Covid affecting players throughout the NHL, and his comments shall be respected, as well.
This is ridiculous. I agree with Provy. Something has to be done. The government is trying to control everyone. It’s absurd!!