NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2023
Could the Flyers and Ivan Provorov part ways? What’s the market value for the Predators’ Mattias Ekholm? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE FLYERS TRADE PROVOROV?
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Ariel Melendez cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating that we could start hearing Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov’s name come up in the trade market. He believes things just haven’t worked for Provorov with the Flyers for whatever reason.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov (NHL Images).
Friedman said there’s a growing sense that Provorov, who turns 26 on Jan. 13, is frustrated with the situation around him and that the team has an equal amount of frustration. Jeff Marek mentioned that the Flyers haven’t found him the right defense partner. Friedman wondered if Provorov might flourish somewhere else.
Marek suggested the Vegas Golden Knights as a trade destination. Provorov would be reunited with Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who coached the Flyers blueliner for two seasons with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings (2014-15 and 2015-16).
Friedman doesn’t think the Golden Knights can make it work. Marek believes Provorov could benefit from playing for Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness, citing how Bowness played a key role in developing defensemen like Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman and Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Flyers’ front office remains intent on its plan to aggressively retool its roster, they’ll need Provorov to be part of it. On the other hand, they could consider shopping him if they decide to rebuild. The blueliner could also force the issue by requesting a trade but there’s no indication thus far that he’s gone that route.
Provorov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $6.75 million. He lacks no-trade protection but that salary will be difficult to move in-season unless the Flyers agree to retain a portion of it, which they could be reluctant to do. The other option would be taking back an equivalent salary. Trading him could be something that occurs in the offseason when teams have more cap space to work with.
LATEST ON EKHOLM
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently examined the trade value of defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who reportedly could be shopped before the March 3 trade deadline by the Nashville Predators.
Seravalli considers Ekholm, 32, to be a smart shutdown defenseman who logs big minutes and moves the puck quickly out of the defensive zone. However, there are some concerns over his skating and mobility. Seravalli views him as a reliable 5-on-5 middle-pair defender.
Potential destinations include the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekholm lacks no-trade protection and would be a good fit with the Oilers, Leafs and Panthers. I believe the Rangers’ bigger priority is addressing their lack of reliable scoring punch on right wing.
Like Provorov, Ekholm’s contract is difficult to move this season. He’s carrying an AAV of $6.25 million through 2025-26, which the Oilers, Leafs and Panthers can’t afford to acquire this season unless Nashville retains a big chunk of it or take back a comparable contract. This sounds like another potential off-season move depending on how this season plays out for the Predators.
McCrimmon collects former Wheat Kings like Dubas does with Greyhounds alumni.
I respect and marvel at their loyalty to their former players. Although I joke about Dubas’ history of bringing hs guys on board, I’d likely do the same thing if I was in his or a similar position.
something you will never have to worry about.
Provo can come to Detroit for Chiarot (retain $.5M), Zadina+ 3rd
I am in question , as per Ekholm being moved
Nashville seems very much in contention , as per a playoff team .
Their goaltender is a topic on its own ..
I watched him shut down the Senators the other night , oh my how frustrating opposition teams must be trying to solve this guy
Ekholm would be a very valuable edition if traded !
Dave Poile is loony enough to let him go for a song I’d daresay.
I bet he’s having sellers remorse for his latest gaffe in letting Tolvanen hit the waiver wire. One might say he pulled a Forsberg again.
Re Tolvanen… yep; looks like a big change (so far)
With predz this year 2-3-4 (minus 2) in 13 GP
Kraken…. 3-2-5 (plus 5) in 5 GP
23, still 2 more years $1.4 M; then still RFA!!
Should have known he would get claimed
Blus where interested in Provorov at the TDL last year, would like to see the Blues make a move there.
PHI is in the same boat as VAN. They have some decent players but for whatever reason the players can’t put it all together.
PHI has Ristoleinen and VAN has Myers. Arguably two of the worst defencemen in the NHL.
Both teams are in no-man’s land. Not bad enough to get a can’t miss prospect and not good enough to make the playoffs.
Big choices to make for Fletcher.
therein lies the problem for Philly fans, Fletcher is making the decisions.
So the GM makes the decisions? Who knew?
The Flyers are a mess.
Starts at the GM Chuck Fletcher, the guys is useless he left the Wilkd in Shambles❗️
Then he hired the worst coach possible for the flyers John Tortorella…
Now the team is playing very poor, he has benched the leading scorer, and looks like it going to be a battle all year with the players Torts has very bad pepole skils😳
They need to re-build the GM needs to go first then the coach👍
Sorry all thumbs…
left the Wild in Shambles❗️
The team is playing very poor? They have won 5 out of 6 and just slapped the hottest team in the nhl. They spent the first quarter of the season decimated w injuries and are among the league leaders in pts by players under 25 years of age. They also have a number of very good prospects who are now healthy and producing at various levels.
They also have the best young goaltending depth they have had since the mid 80s.
Their coach has done a masterful job this yr.
You were saying…?
No worries, the Flyers will trade those goaltenders away.
slow comment day so…
Nashville could get a goos return on Mcdonagh who would change the room in Toronto if they could figure out the salaries involved
Vancouver… that top 6 is solid. check their stats on body checks….. Miller and Schenn have more than the entire team combined. effort? broken room?
ds
ds
Not sure what the trade market is for a defenceman like McDonagh? He’s 33 years old with four years left on his contract at $6.25M per season.
Not saying he wouldn’t be a nice addition to the Leafs but they definitely don’t have the cap space and I’m not sure the appetite for such a long term deal?
With Brodie on the IR again it will give Timmins more playing time to evaluate their needs on defence.
A less flashy trade might be a guy like Schenn or Gavrikov if they’re looking for physical defencemen. Possibly Mayfield from NYI?
The Leafs biggest void is on 2LW.
Toronto gets Tampa round 1 and Boston round 2. not sure their D squad is built for that