Columbus Blue Jackets Re-Sign Ivan Provorov To Long-Term Deal
The Columbus Blue Jackets have secured their blue line in a big way, officially re-signing Ivan Provorov to a seven-year, $59.5 million extension.
The deal carries an $8.5 million average annual value, keeping the 28-year-old defenseman off the open market just hours before NHL free agency was set to begin.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract extension with an AAV of $8.5M.
— The NHL Tracker (@thenhltracker) June 30, 2025
A Massive Commitment to a Core Piece
Provorov, acquired two seasons ago from the Philadelphia Flyers, has quickly become a stabilizing force on the Blue Jackets’ back end. He played all 82 games for the third straight season in 2024–25, tallying seven goals, 26 assists, and a +11 rating, along with 127 blocked shots.
The Russian blueliner has consistently logged big minutes and was projected by some analysts to command upwards of $60 million on the open market, making this deal a strong statement of intent from GM Don Waddell.
THE RUSSIAN BEAR STICKS AROUND IN COLUMBUS 🐻
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) June 30, 2025
The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Ivan Provorov to a seven-year deal worth $8.5M AAV. pic.twitter.com/QZ0DGRbu0t
Columbus Prioritizes Stability on Defense
With Zach Werenski leading the left side and top prospect Denton Mateychuk on the rise, locking down Provorov ensures the Blue Jackets maintain a reliable veteran presence as their retool continues. Analysts like Frank Seravalli had expressed surprise that Columbus hadn’t sealed a deal sooner, but the Blue Jackets ultimately avoided risk and retained a top-tier defenseman in his prime.
In a thin free-agent market for defensemen, Columbus ensured their top-four remains intact as they try to climb back into playoff relevance.
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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