Ivan Provorov Wants to Stay with Flyers as Trade Rumors Swirl

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov has heard the NHL trade talk, has heard his name is in the rumor mill as his team tries to rebuild.

And even though Provorov has played through mostly lean years with the Flyers, he wants to remain in Philadelphia.

He wants to be here when the team gets good.

“I think we’ve had a couple good years and a couple not-so-good years,” said Provorov, whose team is in danger of missing the playoff for three straight seasons for the first time since the 1990s. “I’ve been here for pretty much everything, so it would be good to see another time when the team is playing great.”

Provorov, who turns 26 on Friday, has 14 points (2-12) and a minus-8 rating in 41 games this season. He has loads of talent, but has been inconsistent over the last two-plus seasons. After this season, he has two more years remaining on a contract that carries an annual $6.75 million cap hit.

“I’ve been here for seven years,” Provorov said after the Flyers’ practice Wednesday morning in Voorhees. “It’s the team I got drafted by. I’m a loyal player. I want to do my best every game and help the team win any way I can.”

In his  “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said the Philadelphia Flyers are giving thought to trading Provorov. He said there was frustration between the Flyers and Provorov, and vice versa — and that a deal could become a reality as the Flyers put out feelers.

The NHL trade talk will only increase before the March 3 deadline.

Aware of rumors

“I’ve heard about it. Their job is to talk, my job is to play,” said Provorov, who was drafted No. 7 overall in 2015. “I’m not changing anything about my preparation or my thinking. I’m here to play and compete every game.”

Provorov has had three different defensive partners this season: Tony DeAngelo for the first 22 games, Rasmus Ristolainen for the next 13 games, and Cam York or Risto in the last six games. Overall, Ristolainen has been with Provorov 14 times, and York has been with him five times.

“Obviously you would prefer to have one partner for most of the year, where you can build some chemistry,” said Provorov, who wasn’t complaining. “Obviously there’s injuries and illnesses and stuff like that, but for most of the year you’d like to stick with the same partner. The longer you play together, the more comfortable you get. But these are the circumstances, and you just have to adjust.”

Provorov and the Flyers host Peter Laviolette’s Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Carter Hart will try to stop Alex Ovechkin and Co.

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