4 Teams Named As Suitors for Top Trade Target Ivan Provorov

We brought you the news last month that pending UFA defenseman Ivan Provorov might be willing to re-up with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and stay long-term. But the workhorse blueliner, who has averaged almost 24 minutes a game over his nine-year career, is turning 28 next week, and its uncertain if the Jackets will want to, or be able to, meet his price.

Provorov is wrapping up a six-year contract with a $6.75 million cap hit that he signed while with the Philadelphia Flyers. With the rising costs of signing a top-four D-man, he will be in for a raise.

With that, several teams around the league have Provorov squarely on their radar as they gear up for a run at the playoffs. Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tells us that four teams are currently linked to Provorov in the trade market:

Dallas Stars

The Stars are in their Stanley Cup contention window, and they will not let the trade deadline go by without adding a top-flight defender. They did it last season (Chris Tanev), and they'll do it again this year.

Florida Panthers

The defending Cup champs boasted depth on the blueline last season as one of their keys to winning the title. But that's not the case this year, especially on the right side. The loss of Brandon Montour in free agency has hurt. Provorov would be a huge addition to plug that void.

Ottawa Senators

Looking to make a playoff push for the first time in eight years, the Sens could use some help on the backline, and adding a valued defensive presence like Provorov who blocks shots and gobbles up 24 minutes a night would be a big boost.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have been in the market for blueline help, and adding another top-four defender to add to Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek (once he returns from a lengthy injury absence) would set them up nicely for the playoffs (if they can get their JT Miller/Elias Pettersson Drama taken care of.)