Utah Hockey Club linked to Blue Jackets veteran after injuries to their blue line

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Tom Banks
October 24, 2024 (9:51 PM)

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The Utah Hockey Club has lost not one but two veteran defensemen in the last few weeks, and now they are reportedly targeting Ivan Provorov as a replacement.

This season has started fast for the Utah Hockey Club, who have posted a 4-2-1 record through their first seven games, but with injuries to both Sean Durzi and John Marino, their blue-line stocks are looking significantly thinner than they were a few weeks ago. According to reports, both Marino and Durzi are set to be out for a long time, with both expected to be back in the first eight weeks of 2025, giving them a major hole on the blue line.

Unsurprisingly, they are reportedly looking for help in the meantime, with TSN's Pierre LeBrun revealing that the team has made contact with the Columbus Blue Jackets about potentially acquiring veteran Ivan Provorov.

«My sense though is that the Blue Jackets may not be ready at this point to deal him I don't think they want to take away from their roster too early in the season.»

In the update from LeBrun, he reveals that GM Don Waddell isn't intent on moving the 27-year-old just yet, but if things turn sour after a 3-3-0 start to the season, he could likely get a significant return for Provorov. Through six games this season, the former No. 7 overall draft pick has just two assists and a +2 differential, and given that their forward group is full of offensive stars, he's the perfect fit on this blue line.

With Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Maple Leafs also an option as a trade piece, Utah certainly has several directions they can go, but as of right now, GM Bill Armstrong is pushing hard to improve this roster for a potential Stanley Cup Playoffs run.