Ivan Provorov returned to the BJs a much richer man. (Dan Hickling)
This week, the Jets penned RFA Gabe Vilardi – coming off a career season – to a six-year, $45-million extension; Jaroslav Halak, the 40-year goalie who last played two season ago, officially retired; and the Ducks locked up their No. 1 netminder, Lukas Dostal, to a five-year extension worth $32.5 million. Other Fantasy hockey stories we’re tracking include…
Columbus Overspends to Bring Back Ivan Provorov
Since bottoming out with just 25 wins and 59 points in 2022-23, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been a team on the rise. The following season they increased their total to 66 points and last season – despite the devastating loss of Johnny Gaudreau – they managed 89 points, finishing just two points behind Montreal for the final Wild Card spot in the East.
The Blue Jackets were expected to be big players this summer, but really failed to reel in any difference makers in free agency. In fact, Columbus’ biggest move this month was opting to tap into their huge cap space to re-sign free agent defenseman Ivan Provorov to a shocking seven-year deal worth $59.5 million ($8.5 million AAV).
This contract has all the markings of an albatross and is already an overpay (perhaps even the worst free agent contract doled out this summer), even if it might look slightly less onerous as the cap rises over the next few seasons.
Provorov earned himself a RotoRob Award in 2023 for all the wrong reasons and it was a move that sealed his fate in Philadelphia. While the 2015 seventh overall pick showed flashed of developing into a Norris caliber blueliner earlier in his career, it’s become clear he’s never going to achieve that status, and he comes with a fair bit of baggage.
While a solid top four defenseman, Provorov will never be as good as he thinks he is, especially given that he’s never showed he can quarterback a power play with any prolonged success. Hell, if only he can do this in the real world…
We’ll give him this – the dude is mad durable. The only three games he’s ever missed over his nine-year career were because of a forced quarantine when he contracted COVID in 2021-22.
Last season, Provorov had a higher than usual shooting percentage yet still failed to get very close to double-digit goals, something he’s done just twice in his career. Not great for someone who was billed as a gifted offensive defenseman heading into his draft year.
It’s obvious Provorov has the tools to be a top pair blueliner, but we just haven’t seen that manifest itself on a consistent basis, ultimately leaving him more as a solid top four d-man.
The Kings Seeking More Offense
In the COVID shortened 2020-21 season, the Los Angeles Kings managed just 49 points in 56 games, missing the playoffs for a third straight time. Since then, they’ve hovered around the 100-point mark, last season matching the franchise best with 105 points.
Yet, for the fourth straight season, the Kings were knocked out in the first round, each time by the Edmonton Oilers. What are the odds of that happening?
Last season, L.A. was a defensive juggernaut as only Winnipeg surrendered fewer goals. However, scoring was a lot tougher for the Kings as they only finished 14th in goals… hell, even Buffalo had more.
Re-signing Andrei Kuzmenko should help, but we’re not sure either of their other two free agent forward signings moves the needle much. Corey Perry was a revelation in the playoffs, but at age 40, how much does he really have left in the tank in terms of on-ice production? Joel Armia will also offer more secondary scoring, but is a fringe top six forward, and realistically better suited to a third line role.
Of course, some organic growth would really help, and yes, we’re looking at you, Alex Turcotte.
The fifth overall pick from 2019 has been very slow to develop thanks to injuries and inconsistent play, but finally emerged as a full-time NHLer last season, contributing a career-high nine goals and 25 points. Still, Turcotte has really failed to become much of a Fantasy asset so far, offering only deep league value.
But if he can finally break through in earnest, it would be a huge boost to the Kings’ attack.
After showing some prowess as a faceoff man in limited action in 2023-24, Turcotte took a step back last season, but he’s always been a solid playdriver (career 53.5 CF%). He was a bit unlucky last season, finishing -3 in goals above expected, so there’s room for growth in this area, plus natural progression given that he’s still just 24.
Given his draft status, Turcotte should get plenty of rope, but his value could be capped as the fourth line centre (the Kings are loaded down the middle). Still, with projected new linemates in newcomers Perry and Armia flanking him, perhaps we will see continued growth in 2025-26 from Turcotte.
Keep an eye on him when training camp begins in a few weeks.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s original lineup featured vocalist/guitarist Peter Hayes, vocalist/bassist Robert Levon Been and drummer Nick Jago. Here’s “US Government,” a deep album track from Take Them On, On Your Own.