Blue Jackets bring back Provorov on 7-year, $59.5M contract

Another big name won't be hitting the open market on Tuesday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are bringing back defenseman Ivan Provorov on a seven-year contract carrying an average annual value of $8.5 million, the team announced.

Provorov recorded seven goals and 26 assists in 82 outings last season. The Blue Jackets acquired him from the Philadelphia Flyers in a three-team trade in 2023.

The 28-year-old has been a workhorse throughout his nine-year career, missing just three total games while averaging 23:46 per contest.

The Blue Jackets also kept Dante Fabbro off the open market by signing him to a four-year, $16.5-million contract on Sunday. Their top four on defense is now locked in, with Fabbro and Provorov secured alongside Damon Severson and Norris Trophy finalist Zach Werenski.

With Provorov and Aaron Ekblad inking deals Monday, Vladislav Gavrikov and Dmitry Orlov headline the list of pending unrestricted free-agent defensemen.