For those who weren't around when Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov made his National Hockey League debut, it's hard to describe just how much excitement there was surrounding the young Russian blue liner. Provorov, who had been selected in the first round (7th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft was expected to lead the Flyers defense well into the future, but fast forward 7 years and things didn't turn out as many would have expected.
Provorov now finds himself struggling on a team that has largely failed to produce results over the past several years and there is a growing sense that the relationship between team and player has started to deteriorate as a result of the direction the team finds itself going in.
On the most recent episode of his podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that we may be nearing a point were Provorov and the Flyers are destined for a divorce.
"There's something going on here," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Friedman admitted that he is unsure if Provorov's name has been added to the trading block due to frustration with the player, or simply due to the fact that the Flyers are now in a position where they must consider all their options.
"I think it could be something as simple as the Flyers realise everything needs to be on the table over the next 6 to 18 months to maybe it's just time with this particular player," admitted Friedman.
Given his draft pedigree and his undeniable level of talent there would no doubt be a number of suitors interested in acquiring the Russian defenseman. The fact that he comes at a relatively reasonable cap hit of $6.75 million and has 2 more years on his contract beyond this current season will only serve to add to his value.
While Friedman wasn't sure why Provorov finds himself on the trading block, it sounds like he is confident in regards to the information he does have about this very recent development.
"This came to my attention early Sunday morning... and it's a difficult thing to pin down," said Friedman. "There is something going on here, I think you're going to hear Provorov's name out there."
"I've heard that there has been a conversation about 'Is it time?' is it just time for him to go somewhere else and for the Flyers to look to send him somewhere else?"
Based on Friedman's comments it sounds like both the Flyers and Provorov may both be frustrated with one another, but whether or not that will prove to be enough to bring an end to their relationship remains to be seen.
