Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell recently provided a behind-the-scenes look into the contract negotiations that took place this summer with top D-man Ivan Provorov.
Provorov had been the subject of countless trade rumors this past season. However, as Waddell noted, the two sides were able to cut through the hype and get a deal done.
Waddell sat down with RG Media’s James Murphy for a 1-on-1 on August 28. During the talk, Waddell delivered insights into what transpired during contract proceedings with Provorov’s camp.
He stated:
“Well, the good thing is I was in dialogue regularly with Mark Gandler, his agent, and there's a lot of outside noise, but Mark kept telling me, and Provorov too, that his first choice was to stay here in Columbus.”
The comments are quite interesting as numerous outlets pinned Provorov as a trade candidate at the deadline. Then, the focus turned to the potential bidding war for his services. So, it’s intriguing to learn that Provorov never hesitated about staying in Columbus.
Waddell continued:
“And certainly as we got closer to July 1st, we knew what was out there, and we knew that he was our best option a hundred percent, not only as a player but as a person. Here's a guy who's missed three hockey games in the last five years and only because of COVID. He plays every game, plays every shift, plays hard, is a great teammate, and very big family guy.”
Indeed, Provorov is a huge part of the Blue Jackets' success. He will be counted on to anchor the team’s blue line next season. With the Jackets poised to make a strong push for a playoff spot in 2025-26, a healthy and productive Ivan Provorov will be a crucial piece in that pursuit.
Waddell dispels criticism regarding Provorov’s contract with Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets ultimately signed Ivan Provorov to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract. The deal raised some eyebrows as it seemed high for the 28-year-old.
But according to Waddell, it was a deal that made sense, especially in light of the rising cap in years to come.
He stated:
“Obviously, the contract was some people thought was too high, some people thought it was all right, as the cap continues to go up…”
Next season, the cap will rise by about $10 million. Considering the Blue Jackets currently have over $15 million in cap space, another $10 million could make Provorov’s deal look like a bargain.
That situation prompted Wadell to conclude:
“So as the cap continues to rise and he's going to fit in well with our group here in the next seven years.”
The additional cap space will be crucial as younger players will need new contracts soon. The most notable is Adam Fantilli. He’s entering the final season of his entry-level contract. Other key RFAs for next summer include Cole Sillinger, Yegor Chinakhov, and Mikael Pyythia. In two years, the Blue Jackets will have Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko as RFAs.
So, having the additional cap space to play with will be crucial to ensure the Blue Jackets’ success for years to come.