Tag: Ivan Provorov

Ivan Provorov trade: Who won the Blue Jackets, Kings and Flyers deal?

Ivan Provorov has been dealt to the Blue Jackets as part of a massive three-way trade.

The 2023 Stanley Cup Final may currently be ongoing, but the Philadelphia Flyers certainly made a splash with this massive offseason move.

On Tuesday, the Flyers traded defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the Los Angeles Kings sliding in as the third partner in the deal. Provorov played the last seven seasons with the Flyers, often being utilized as the team’s No. 1 defenseman after being drafted No. 7 overall in the 2015 draft.

MORE NHL: Flyers’ Ivan Provorov declined to wear pregame Pride Night jerseys, citing religious beliefs.

While there has been a glut of front office hockey news over the last few weeks, this Provorov trade kicks the NHL offseason into high gear as the first major domino to fall. Let’s take a look at how each of the Blue Jackets, Flyers and Kings grade out in this massive Provorov trade.

Flyers’ Ivan Provorov declined to wear pregame Pride Night jerseys, citing religious beliefs

Ivan Provorov skipped Flyers pregame warmups, which featured Pride Night jerseys.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov did not participate in the team’s pregame warmup skate on Tuesday, citing his religious beliefs as the team wore Pride Night jerseys in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, the Flyers wore black sweaters with rainbow lettering and numbering for the team’s Pride Night celebrations. Provorov was not involved in the team’s pregame warmups, as noted by Flyers beat writers, but did return to play in the game. The Flyers then switched back to their regular alternate jerseys to play against the Ducks.

After the game, the Flyers released a statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

In the team’s postgame media availability, head coach John Tortorella stated that Provorov declined to participate in warmups due to his religious beliefs. Tortorella also stated he did not consider scratching Provorov for missing warmups.

When asked by the media, Provorov said “I respect everyone, I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”

The Flyers bested the Ducks 5-2 on Tuesday. Provorov was held without a point in 23 minutes of ice time.