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One of the things that Mark Gandler, the agent, said to me today is that Ivan Provorov loves it in Columbus, and that they are absolutely open to discussions on an extension with the Blue Jackets if that's something the Jackets would like to entertain.
"His younger brother, Vladimir Provorov, who's only 16 years old, it was announced Monday that he's committed to Ohio State University."
Vladimir Provorov stats via Elite Prospects
No talks regarding extension between Provorov and Waddell have started; expectation is it will start after the New Year. Big wrinkle in this for the managers and agents is where the salary cap will be.
Provorov is in his second season with the Blue Jackets after being acquired in the summer of 2023 from the Philadelphia Flyers. He carries a cap hit of $4.725 million after the Los Angeles Kings retained a little more than $2 million of his $6.75 million salary in the three-way trade that landed him in Columbus.
The 27-year-old blueliner has two goals and 11 points in 31 games this season while averaging 23:14 of ice time, second-highest on the team behind Zach Werenski (26:14).
Provorov was selected seventh overall by the Flyers in the 2015 draft. He has 72 goals and 260 points in 646 career games with Philadelphia and Columbus.
Fun factoid, the pending unrestricted free agent has not missed a game in a Columbus sweater. Truest iron-man going in Ohio.
NYR and Provorov
Baugh identifies Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins as two key targets who could provide the experience and reliability the Rangers need.
Olivier to Dallas?
One name that Marek ties to a Dallas pursuit could be a longshot is Mathieu Olivier, as the Jackets and Don Waddell have made it clear they are not looking to lose the enforcer.
Hoglander Linked to CBJ?
👀 A name generating interest in the market is @Canucks F Hoglander. He’s 24, with cost certainty given his current 3Yr 3M AAV, and skilled. I’m told the Caps, Pens and CBJ are among clubs that’ve explored the possibility. #HockeyXpic.twitter.com/fNqb1S43gh
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic spoke with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba about his recent trade and why he declined to facilitate a trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Trouba was dealt by the New York Rangers to Anaheim, but had other suitors, including Columbus. Trouba told Portzline that there were no issues with Columbus, but he felt Anaheim would be a better fit for him and his wife, as well as her career as a doctor.
Luca Marelli Signed w/Jackets
The Blue Jackets announced that they’ve signed defense prospect Luca Marrelli to a three-year entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Columbus brought Marrelli into the organization with the 86th overall pick in this year’s draft. The 19-year-old 6’2″ righty was one of the older players available thanks to his early October birthday, so he’s already in his fourth season of major junior hockey.
The Toronto native is having a great season with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, ranking second on the team in scoring behind 2024 third-overall selection Beckett Sennecke with 40 points (14 G, 26 A) in just 30 games with a +16 rating. Marrelli, touted as a two-way threat on the blue line, had 57 points in 67 games last year.
He was largely a consensus top-100 pick, although some, such as TSN’s Craig Button, opined he was more of a second-round talent than the third-round one he ended up being. Elite Prospects called the Toronto native a “high-activity defenseman” who “[locks] down every attacker who enters his space.”
Thanks to that early birthday, Marrelli will be eligible to make the jump from the CHL to the AHL starting next season instead of needing to wait two years like most CHLers. Marrelli’s ELC will slide to the 2025-26 campaign as he won’t play in 10 NHL contests this year, so he won’t be able to test restricted free agency until 2028 at the earliest.
Marrelli’s deal won’t count against the 50-contract limit for now since it’s slide-eligible for this year. That means the Jackets still have four open slots, per PuckPedia.
Adam Fanitlli v Leo Carlsson
Leo Carlsson
Drafted second overall in 2023, the forward has 40 career points in 78 games over the last two seasons.
This season, the forward has 11 points in 23 games.
Adam Fantilli
Fantilli has 40 points in 80 career games.
Fantilli has 13 points in 31 games this season with Columbus.
Laine Return Brings Controversy; Mateychuk Debut; Werenski Responds to Laine
Montreal Canadiens’ winger Patrik Laine returned to Columbus for the first time since the late summer trade that brought Jordan Harris to the Jackets. Laine has 8 PPG in 10 games this season, and spoke out by critiquing his ex-club claiming the club quit in December and he was tired of losing. And getting traded to Montreal and losing to your former team is winning? After spending his final season injured and in the player assistance program, there’s a lack of track of success by Laine in Columbus.
Mateychuk got his family and himself a well earned Christmas gift with his NHL debut occurring on the 23rd against Montreal. The top blue liner of the Monsters has torn up the AHL in his first season while Trey Fix-Wolansky and Luca Del Bel Belluz are providing the dynamic offense.
Zach Werenski responded to Laine by calling his statements of the club “bullshit” and hoped Laine is okay. Werenski mentioned how the club backed Laine up in the room despite the claims of his lack of motivation and winning attitude. Werenski continues to show he is the leader in the room work Jenner out for a few more months.
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