New York Rangers emerge as top candidates to acquire Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman
The New York Rangers slump has been broken, with a defeat of the Montreal Canadiens over the weekend. Yet there are holes in the lineup, that need attention.
If the Rangers are to improve their 13-9-1 record, they'll have to look in their own division to find a solution.
One of them could be a veteran defenseman, Ivan Provorov who is a recent arrival in the Blue Jackets system. With a new GM in town, the Blue Jackets have had no issue moving on from players they don't identify as long-term pieces for the organization, and Provorov could be the next to go after David Jiricek was just traded.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston has Provorov sitting atop his NHL Trade Board while Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli has him at No. 4 on his Nov. 20 list of Trade Targets.
Provorov is a pending UFA, with a cap hit of $6.75 Million, which the Blue Jackets paid handsomely for( a 1st round pick that became Oliver Bonk).
The Jackets only have to account for $4.725 Million, as the Flyers have retained $2.5 Million after the trade.
The top-four puck-moving defenseman could be on the move during the trade deadline this season.
Could the Rangers be one of the teams in on acquiring Provorov?
New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury
The New York Rangers have emerged as trade candidates, as they have placed defenseman Jacob Trouba on the trade block.
He's not taken the Rangers Captain off the list which consists of him, and veteran forward Chris Kreider.
According to Lyle Richardson acquiring Provorov could prove to a UFA like Igor Shesterkin that they're serious about investing in talent to keep the team competitive.
Provorov has played 2 years with the Blue Jackets, which is 105 games, with 40 points( 7 G, 33 A) scored with a -8, 187 blocks, and 72 hits during his short time there.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 11-9-3 and 6th in the Metropolitan Division. The team remains two points out of a Wild-Card spot in the playoffs.
Provorov could significantly impact the Rangers blueline in a positive way, as they've missed secondary scoring, can GM Chris Drury afford to give up a 1st round pick for him? He'll be sought after once March rolls around.
