According to a report from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the New York Rangers have miss out on their next top-pairing defenseman. As GM Don Waddell will be re-signing defenseman Ivan Provorov.![Ivan Provorov]()
The New York Rangers had a plan to bolster the left side of the defense. The issue? K'Andre Miller is a former first-round pick who hasn't played up to expectations lately.
With Elliotte Friedman announcing the Blue Jackets to signing Ivan Provorov, you have to assume the team is offering a bridge deal to the RFA defenseman.
Provorov spent the last three seasons in Columbus after the team acquired him in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers for a 1st-round pick, which became Oliver Bonk (22nd overall).
He'll be earning his keep in Columbus longer, at an AAV of $8.5 million over the next seven years.
In our opinion, too expensive a contract for a defenseman who is past his prime.
It makes sense why Drury might've decided to punt on signing the former Flyer.
This makes you really wonder what's in store for the New York Rangers and K'Andre Miller. Now that another piece is off the board, Drury is either looking deep into what's available tomorrow, or he'll have to sign him to a short-term deal.
Either way, free agency isn't over just yet.
This season in 82 games, Provorov scored 33 points (7-26), and his last contract paid him an AAV of $6.75 million.
He's been an expensive defenseman to acquire for the Blue Jackets, and remains a high-end defenseman despite his statistics proving otherwise.
Another deal where Drury might not've wiffed by passing here.
