“Winning, winning, is the difference from this year to last year,” a Flyers star defenceman in Ivan Provorov said to me in terms of his game in late December-early January. Provorov is a star, and he’s only just 23-years-old. This young star is making his 6-year $40.50 million deal ($6.75 Million AAV) look like a bargain at this rate. Provorov elevated his game this season, and he contributes that to ‘Winning.’
This young stud in Provorov is quickly becoming the face of the franchise for years to come. Proof in the pudding came after a game on November 2, 2017, against the St. Louis Blues. The orange and black defeated the Blues 2-0, as Provorov played nearly half the game amassing 27:11 in ice time. This marked his fourth consecutive game that he was above 27 minutes in ice time. Even more impressive, Provorov was a human shield by blocking a whopping 10 shots. His nine blocked shots through two periods were a franchise record, a record that has stood since 1997.
The former Wheat King product, in Provorov, has registered 43 goals, and registered 90 apples for a total of 133 points in 315 games played for his NHL career. Provorov has earned this new/fair contract, especially after playing with one arm in Game 6 of the 2018 playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Provorov averaged 24:51 in TOI (Time on Ice), per night this season. He plays against top line night after night, along with his partner Matt Niskanen, “He’s a great player, with tons of experience,” Provorov said of Niskanen, “He does everything right out there. He’s very steady, and makes the right plays all the time. It’s fun to play with him.”
This young stud in Provorov does not want major changes to take place this offseason. He said yesterday that he likes the overall make up of the team, “Compared to last year, it was a massive step forward.”
Provorov has a Jaromir Jagr like work mentality. He works his butt off just like Jagr did when he was a member of the Flyers, but Provorov is honest too, “Overall we didn’t perform to the best of our abilities,” Provorov said.
Head Coach Alain Vigneault spoke before Provorov yesterday but he concurred with Provorov’s overall thoughts, “I can guarantee you, with what we all learned, we’re going to put the pieces together to challenge for that Cup.” This is music to Flyers fans ears, finally a coach that expresses his belief in his team publicly.
This star defenceman in Provorov also contributed his improved play this season to Alain Vigneault and the coaching staff. The Flyers and Provorov are just a match made in heaven, and the City of Philadelphia is finally blessed with a defenceman that could wind up becoming a great one for the foreseeable future.
Hockey Notes:
NHL teams have until 5pm EST on Oct. 7 to submit qualifying offers to their respective RFA’s. The RFA’s can begin signing as of noon EST Oct. 9. Qualifying offers are due to expire at 5pm EST on Oct. 18
If there is now a chance to trade for Colton Parayko, like is in talks. What we would be willing to give? I would give Sanheim, and some prospect and our first to do it! Because that is the kind of price they are talking about!How about you?