Blue Jackets' Ivan Provorov gets last-ditch $60 million contract update before free agency

The Columbus Blue Jackets got their extension done with Dante Fabbro, and now they want more.

The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reports that the Blue Jackets have entered into talks with unrestricted free agent defenseman Ivan Provorov about a potential deal.

That news emerged on Monday, less than 24 hours from the opening of NHL free agency.

Provorov has been projected for a deal as high as eight years for $60 million.

He's 28 years old and has been an NHL stalwart as a left-shot defenseman since he was chosen seventh overall in 2015 by the Flyers.

This past season was Provorov's second in Columbus, and he had seven goals and 26 assists. He was plus-11 for the season and also had 127 blocked shots.

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Provorov's availability is strong, as he has played all 82 games each of the past three seasons.

There aren't a ton of strong defenseman available on the free agent market, and the ones that are will be heavily sought after.

Given that, if Columbus decides it has money to spend on a D-man somewhere, Provorov might might the best choice for the sake of continuity.

Can they line up on a number before free agency opens? That's a lot less clear, and could lead to some frantic negotiations as Monday proceeds.

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