February 13, 2023 | 9:11pm ET
By Anthony Di Marco, TheFourthPeriod.com
ALL QUIET ON PROVOROV TRADE FRONT
Ivan Provorov, defenceman
As rumours swirl around the NHL over the futures of defencemen Jakob Chychrun and Erik Karlsson, things are still quiet when it comes to Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Ivan Provorov.
According to a source close to the situation, there has not been a lot of recent trade chatter surrounding Provorov.
There has been growing speculation over a potential divorce coming between the player and team, as noted by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in early-January, although nothing was imminent. Provorov has strung together a strong stretch of play since the holiday break and, as I mentioned a few weeks back, has had the Flyers reconsidering any potential move.
As TFP has reported going back to last season, while he is not untouchable, the Flyers have not been actively shopping Provorov. Though he isn’t a true No.1 defenceman, he plays a massive role with the Flyers – he leads the Flyers in ice time both overall and at even strength – and they don’t have an in-house replacement to immediately step into his role.
Provorov, who remains ranked on the TFP Trade Watch List, has also found chemistry with sophomore Cam York over the last month and a half, forming the team’s best top pair (not counting the four games played by Ryan Ellis) since the abrupt retirement of Matt Niskanen following the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Talking to those around the team, I get the sense the Flyers are content with the outlook of their defense – both in the short and mid term. Given the way Provorov and York have played recently and turnaround in play of Rasmus Ristolainen, the Flyers top four looks “completely different,” one source said to me.
Travis Sanheim, fresh off an eight-year contract extension, has struggled mightily this year, but the team hopes that a reunion with Ritolainen – they both played almost the entire season together last year – will help right the ship.
While things have been tame surrounding Provorov, there is believed to be interest in defenseman Nick Seeler.
As discussed by Friedman and Jeff Marek on the “32 Thoughts” podcast Monday, Seeler has garnered attention from teams as a third pairing option. Checking in on this, I was told that unless the Flyers are “blown away” they aren’t looking to move Seeler.
Seeler, 29, is signed until the summer of 2024 and carries a very digestible AAV of $775,000, arguably the most attractive thing about the player to interested clubs. He has been very good in a bottom-pair role for the Flyers this season, tracking as their best defenceman analytically all year. Of course, the fact that he’s consistently averaged the least ice time per game needs to be taken into consideration. But in a limited role he has been effective, something that has clearly gone noticed.
As one person said to me, reliable, cost controlled defencemen are tough to find in the NHL, so the Flyers aren’t actively trying to move him. Seeler also plays with an edge and physical element, which is always welcomed in the playoffs. As Marek mentioned, all the reasons other teams are looking to acquire him are the same reasons the Flyers may be reluctant to deal him.
In recent games, Seeler has been tasked with playing alongside Tony DeAngelo, who has had a very up and down campaign. Although DeAngelo’s season hasn’t been consistent – and he’s had several run-ins with Head Coach John Tortorella, I’m told – it doesn’t appear he will be on the move before the NHL trade deadline.
As of Monday, I’ve heard that the Flyers have had no discussions about trading the 27-year-old New Jersey native, whom the Flyers acquired at last year’s NHL Draft for three draft picks spread across three years. While acknowledging his up and down play, one source cited DeAngelo’s cost control (signed through next season with a $5 million AAV) as a reason to hang onto him. DeAngelo has also had a solid offensive season despite his (big) defensive shortcomings, registering nine goals and 31 assists through 50 games so far.
As Marek alluded to on “32 Thoughts,” while the Flyers are open to trading almost anyone, they have a lot of players they like. Travis Konecny, for example, is a name that would take a massive overpay to be pried out of Philly, as Friedman noted on Monday. That being said, there are some names who still expect to move over the next two and a half weeks – forward James van Riemsdyk, in particular.
van Riemsdyk, 33, is set to become a UFA this summer and carries an AAV of $7 million. He has nine goals and 22 points through 35 games this season.
The Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild are among the teams linked to JVR. As I’ve mentioned several times, I’ve heard the Calgary Flames could be a fit, although they have a lot of irons in the fire, as TFP’s David Pagnotta has been reporting recently, so their attention may be elsewhere.
As I reported last week, there’s a belief that JVR’s preference would be Minnesota, as he plans to settle down there in his post playing career.
Kevin Hayes is another name I’ve mentioned as being available, but his contract (three years left at $7.14 million) may be too much to swing in season, even if the Flyers are willing to retain (for the right price).
Hayes, 30, is having a career year, with 17 goals and 47 points through 54 games this season. There has been interest in Hayes, but those financial restrictions may make it too complicated to move in-season. Even if a move does not materialize over the next two and a half weeks this will be something to track into the off season.
Unlike last year when captain Claude Giroux was centre stage, the Flyers don’t seem like they’ll be one of the more active teams this trade deadline. But don’t rule out a big move if another team steps up, because although few players are being actively shopped, almost everyone is up for grabs at the right price.
