NHL Trade Rumors: Two Top Trade Fits if Blue Jackets Deal Provorov

We heard earlier this month that pending UFA defenseman Ivan Provorov might be willing to sign an extension to stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets. But the top-four D-man, logging over 23 minutes of ice time per night this season, is due for a raise from his $6.75 million AAV, and it's still unclear if he and the Jackets can agree on a number.

If GM Don Waddell decides that Provorov's price tag just doesn't make sense for the rebuilding team, he'll try to get a nice asset for him at the trade deadline from a contender. As noted by Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, "My belief is they won’t be in the same ballpark numbers-wise and what will be judged most prudent, in the end, by Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is to trade Provorov for the highest asset possible."

With that, LeBrun suggests that the Colorado Avalanche would be the team most in need of Provorov to boost their Stanley Cup run, as they have, as he notes, only three defensemen playing 20 minutes a game and the insider "loves the fit."

The Avs just went out and got themselves a new No. 1 goalie to lead them into the playoffs, and 'quintupled' down on it, signing Mackenzie Blackwood to a 5-year extension. It would behoove them to make sure their defense in front of him has no gaps.

LeBrun's colleague, however, Chris Johnston, counters that the Tampa Bay Lightning would be the ideal fit for Provorov. "You really can’t go wrong connecting one of the top rental players to (Lightning GM) Julien BriseBois’ team ahead of the deadline," writes Johnston.

With JJ Moser going down for eight-to-ten weeks, and then undoubtedly needing some ramp-up time, he could be out until a short time before the playoffs, so Provorov would ensure that the Bolts' blueline wouldn't miss a beat.