Has Ivan Provorov been exposed?
PUBLICATION
FrankieJuly 25, 2022 (12:29)
Ivan Provorov has shown he can play in the NHL. He has shown he can play at a high level and make some plays. Also, he even has shown he can score some goals when he netted 17 making that his career high. So, then what is the problem?
Provorov has shown he can play at a high level, when the player beside him is a good complimentary partner. Matt Niskanen, Stanley Cup champion. Comes to the Flyers and elevates Provorov's game to new heights. Incredible Defense, smart plays and slows the game down while eating up a ton of minutes. A great pairing for sure.
Ivan Provorov makes a beautiful move on the breakaway for the @EASPORTSNHL OT winner! 🤙 pic.twitter.com/6dspeXpbIS� NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2021
Niskanen retires and they bring in "The Gus". A player not close to the stature of Niskanen, but good depth D-man and someone who can help offensively. It has to work right-or so we thought.
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Provorov's game started to flaw, and his minutes grew even more. Injuries were hit so what else could they do, right? Costly turnovers and plays that just were extremely questionable. A guy like Ivan Provorov, who is paid like a top tier Defenseman should be able to handle not having a guy like Niskanen.
Flyers bring in the solution, Ryan Ellis. Another player who will be able to help the Flyers defenseman shine. Ellis goes down in 6 games, and Ivan is looked upon to be the leader and star defenseman he is paid to be. The Ellis contract shows that the goal was for them two to grow together and play as one. An unfortunate injury, but Ivan Provorov had yet another tough year defensively without his "better half".
«No matter what I say, you guys are going to give me your own grades. It doesn't matter, you're all experts in hockey, so you're going to give me all your super experienced grades. I don't think my opinion really matters to you guys.»
- Ivan Provorov on evaluating his season pic.twitter.com/BjDuQmG4hu� Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) April 30, 2022
So, who is Ivan Provorov? Is he the top tier guy we are paying him to be or is he an overpaid 2nd line guy who lives in the shadows of the better player next to him? Exposure at its finest.
Let's all hope for a better year in 2022-2023.
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