The Columbus Blue Jackets have locked up defenseman Ivan Provorov, preventing him from hitting unrestricted free agency. The team and the 28-year-old Provorov have reportedly agreed to a seven-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8.5 million, totaling $59.5 million. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman were among the first to report the agreement.

Provorov is coming off a season where he played all 82 games for the Blue Jackets, contributing seven goals and 33 points. He averaged 23:21 of ice time per game, ranking second on the team behind Zach Werenski. His durability has been a valuable asset, as he has played in all possible games in six of his nine NHL seasons.

The Russian defenseman was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft. He played for the Flyers from 2016 to 2023 before being traded to Columbus in a three-team deal that also involved the Los Angeles Kings. Throughout his NHL career, Provorov has played in 696 games, amassing 77 goals and 282 points.

Provorov's new contract will make him the second-highest-paid player on the Blue Jackets, only behind Werenski. This extension signifies the Blue Jackets' commitment to Provorov as a key member of their defensive core.

With Provorov and Dante Fabbro recently extended, the Blue Jackets are set to return all seven of their regular defensemen from last season. The team hopes that retaining their defensive group, along with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, will lead to improved defensive performance after finishing 25th in the league last season. The Blue Jackets have shown faith in their coaching staff by retaining assistant coach Steve McCarthy to continue overseeing the defense.