Top News: Utah Hockey Club, others interested in star Blue Jackets defenseman
The Utah Hockey Club, along with other teams, is showing interest in star defenseman Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets
The Utah Hockey Club is among the teams showing interest in star Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. In a recent segment, LeBrun noted that Utah’s general manager, Bill Armstrong, has been actively looking to address the gaps left by the injuries to Sean Durzi and John Marino. While other teams are also inquiring about Provorov, any move at this stage of the season would likely require a compelling offer for the Blue Jackets’ general manager, Don Waddell, to consider.
Provorov, a top-four defenseman set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, could be highly sought after, especially by teams in rebuilding phases. His contract does not include any trade protection, making him a prime candidate for a deal. If the Blue Jackets choose to wait until closer to the trade deadline, they could maximize their return on investment.
The NHL’s newest team, the Utah Hockey Club, may feel pressured to make a deal sooner due to the significant injuries affecting their blue line. With Durzi and Marino both undergoing surgeries that will keep them sidelined for much of the regular season, Utah is currently in fourth place in the Central Division after seven games, and they have a viable shot at the playoffs if the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators continue to struggle.
Not only is there a pressing need for a top-four defenseman in Utah, but they could also serve as a beneficial trade partner for Columbus. Armstrong has been building up draft capital during his time with the Arizona Coyotes and possesses 26 draft picks over the next three NHL drafts. While Utah might be reluctant to part with a first-round pick for Provorov, they do have several second-round picks to consider.
In addition to draft picks, Utah could provide Columbus with assets outside the draft realm. Forward Michael Carcone, despite having only played three games this season, could be a low-cost trade option. He had a productive season last year, scoring 21 goals in 74 games. Given that Columbus has been one of the highest-scoring teams early in the season, Carcone could enhance their offensive strength with more opportunities.
Furthermore, Utah could help Columbus meet the salary cap floor through the existing contract of defenseman Shea Weber. With Weber’s $7.857 million salary on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), Columbus has the flexibility to activate him for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This arrangement would allow the Blue Jackets to absorb Weber’s salary while potentially retaining a portion of Provorov’s salary, facilitating the movement of other unrestricted free agents at the trade deadline without incurring significant salary burdens.