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The Philadelphia Flyers wasted no time in making moves during their first offseason under new general manager Danny Briere. In an announcement made on Tuesday, the Flyers revealed a three-team deal involving the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings, with defenseman Ivan Provorov being traded to the Blue Jackets.
In exchange for Provorov, the Flyers will receive several assets from the Kings, including goaltender Cal Peterson, defenseman Sean Walker, defenseman Helge Grans, a 2023 first-round pick (No. 22 overall), and a 2023 second-round pick. The Blue Jackets will also contribute a conditional second-round draft choice in either 2024 or 2025 to the Flyers as part of the trade.
Additionally, Flyers minor league defenseman Kevin Connauton will join the Blue Jackets, while winger Hayden Hodgson will be sent to the Kings. As part of the agreement, the Kings will retain 30 percent of Provorov’s contract.
Provorov, who was selected by the Flyers with the No. 7 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, has amassed 65 goals and 152 assists throughout his seven professional seasons. In the previous season, he recorded six goals and 21 assists in a full 82-game schedule.
The Russian defenseman still has two seasons remaining on his six-year, $40.5 million contract, which he signed in 2019. His annual cap hit stands at $6.75 million.
Earlier this year, Provorov garnered attention when he declined to wear Philadelphia’s Pride uniforms during warmups, choosing to remain in the locker room instead. Citing his religious beliefs, Provorov expressed his commitment to staying true to himself and his faith.
Petersen, who appeared poised for significant playing time in the Kings’ goal during the past season alongside Jonathan Quick, faced struggles early on and was subsequently sent down to the AHL in November. The 28-year-old goaltender has a career record of 44-42-10, with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage in 101 NHL games. He has exclusively played for the Kings throughout his five NHL seasons.
Walker, 28, brings veteran experience to the Flyers’ defensive unit, having accumulated 67 career points (16 goals, 51 assists) in five seasons with the Kings. Grans, on the other hand, was the No. 35 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and spent the 2022-23 season with the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Kings.
