TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Next up on player spotlight discussions: 22 yr old, soon to be 23, defenseman, Ivan Provorov, playing top pair minutes in a tough hockey market, on a team still with lots of holes, but still gives the franchise hope that he and some other young cornerstones on the team, will soon elevate the Flyers into contender status sooner than later. He made a pretty good debut in the NHL production-wise with a nice 30 point season, followed that up with an outburst of 17 G, 41 pts the following year, only to "step backwards" with 7G, 26 pts just last season, but looks to be making amends for that this year... as of this posting, he has 5G, 14 pts in just 22 games so far. I quoted "step backwards" because compared to his previous year, that is a massive downgrade in production, but then again, it falls in line with his rookie season numbers, which means...what? He can be at least a consistent 30 pt defenseman, with ceiling to grow and that perhaps 41 pts was too much too soon? But given his all around abilities, 41 points or more may be the norm for him pretty soon as well. And that is the thing I see from this young Russian. He doesn't seem one dimensional. Looks like the right type of defenseman that can handle the high, tough minutes against the best, while playing a pretty good two way game, even though at this stage, his game obviously isn't fully mature. He hits reasonably well, stays out of the penalty box for the most part while doing it, loves to shoot the puck, and from what I've seen from him this year, looks to be better about protecting the puck as the turnovers don't seem to come about as often from him this season. Have been trying to come up with an established player comparable... at first, thought Victor Hedman of the Lightning, but that doesn't seem quite right. Hedman has a size reach and advantage that allows him to maybe not be as agile on the ice as Provorov, but still get to and break up plays. Then thought, maybe a Jeff Petry of the Canadiens, with his steady reliable style, but that didn't seem quite right either...Provorov seems more dynamic on the attack than Petry. Maybe a Roman Josi? Similar skating ability, both about the same size, both two way players, and both had similar first two years in the league, although Josi had the advantage of a more defensive minded team to break into when he first got in...which makes what Provorov has been doing on the Flyers that much more impressive. Young Provorov already has a nice big contract based more on potential (6.75M cap hit) than what he's actually done so far, but even so, if there is a player that could live up to his contract well before many expect, it just may be this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 They paid him too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 18 minutes ago, CoachX said: They paid him too much Well, seems that way now, doesn't it? I bet that is the case with lots of these big contracts given to young guys recently, but in about another season or two, that contract may look like gold for what you get out of the player....especially if the Roman Josi comparison comes to pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 A few months back i made the statement, and i stand by it, that they should pay him whatever it takes Im glad they did 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 4 hours ago, CoachX said: A few months back i made the statement, and i stand by it, that they should pay him whatever it takes Im glad they did He is worth every red cent and more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 45 minutes ago, Podein25 said: He is worth every red cent and more I would of let him sleep with someones wife if it made the deal happen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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