The Kings will retain 30% of the Provorov contract, helping facilitate the trade.
Provorov, due to make $6.75mil in 2023-2024, helped free $5.625mil in cap space altogether for the Kings as facilitators in the trade. Los Angeles acquired Connauton and Hodgson, aiding the Flyers in contract compliance. The Blue Jackets take on $4.725mil of the Provorov contract in 2023-2024. Overall, Philadelphia adds $900k to their cap figure after their haul.
There is a lot to unpack about this three-team exchange. Briere is restocking the draft cupboards. Following this transaction, the Flyers have two selections in four rounds at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
“We’re going to look at every possible option out there to improve the team. I don’t think this is a quick fix. That’s my belief and that’s why I’m not afraid to use the word rebuild.”
Daniel Briere; 3/12/2023
Briere is adamant about rebuilding correctly, and this is as advertised.
Provorov to Columbus
Everyone got a little bit of help. The Blue Jackets hope Provorov will help strengthen their defense with Adam Boqvist. He slots into a second-pair role that could help recalibrate his NHL career.
To acquire Provorov, the Blue Jackets sent the first-round pick they received from the Kings at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline when they sent Joonas Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov to Los Angeles. An additional sweetener was a conditional 2024 second-round pick, which could become a 2025 second-round selection.
King Facilitator
Rob Blake jumped at the chance to rid Petersen of their books at an efficient cost. Making $5mil in 2022-2023, Petersen struggled after a demotion to the AHL. Now, the Kings can negotiate with Gavrikov.
At RD, the Flyers obtain depth in Walker, who could rotate as a seventh defenseman or dress on the bottom pair.
Helge Grans stands at 6’3″ and weighs 206lbs. He saw a decline in his second AHL season with the Ontario Reign, scoring nine points (2G, 7A) in 56GP with a -8 rating. Acquiring Connauton and Hodgson doesn’t apply to the Kings’ cap; those contracts will remain in the AHL.
Verdict
A resounding approval sums up the first trade by Briere as the GM of the Flyers.
Briere proved he isn’t shy about being aggressive if the trade makes sense. The Flyers had a busy offseason, making changes from the President of Hockey Operations to position coaches. Changes are still coming, and they’ll reflect in the lineup on the ice.
Nothing about the rebuild will be a quick fix, and the players coming to Philadelphia don’t suggest it. Walker isn’t a replacement for Provorov, and Petersen isn’t a replacement for Carter Hart.
Samuel Ersson could remain in the AHL in 2023-2024, becoming an RFA at the end of the season on the final year of his entry-level contract. Felix Sandstrom will remain in the AHL, too. Maybe Petersen finds his focus as a 2G to Hart. In the IIHF World Championship, Petersen did go 3-0-0 with a 95.6%SV.
The main event is the three picks included with the transaction. In addition to a stellar forward likely taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, very capable defensemen will be on the board when Briere steps back up to the podium at 22nd overall. More moves will follow, but this is a critical first step for the new team leaders, especially Briere.
(Photo Credit/Alex McIntyre)
