Philadelphia Flyers Rookie Ivan Provorov Through 70 Games.

As the 2016/17 season is coming to a close, let’s take a look at Philadelphia Flyers rookie Ivan Provorov through his first 70 games.

When the Philadelphia Flyers selected Provorov 7th overall in the 2015 NHL draft, some speculated that he could make the jump to the NHL as an 18-year-old. That wasn’t the case instead, General Manger Ron Hextall went the developmental route. Management allowed Provorov another year to develop in the Western Hockey League. Provorov went on to win a WHL championship and helped team Russia a Silver Medal at the World Junior championship.

Fast forward to September, Provorov showed up in Philadelphia forcing his way onto the club and hasn’t looked back.

Provorov isn’t the flashiest rookie in the NHL with the likes of Auston Matthews, Patrick Laine, and others getting the Calder trophy talk.

Provorov is getting love from his Head Coach Dave Hakstol who calls his rookie a mix of Ryan Suter and Ryan McDonough adding that ‘’Provy’’ will average 28-30 minutes a game in the prime of his career.

Fellow country Man Alexander Ovechkin has high praise for Provorov saying,

"“I see a very skilled defenseman, (a very good) puck mover. Obviously, he’s still young, but he can be a very good defenseman in the league. I see him as an All-Star. Obviously, he has to work hard to get on that level … It’s good for Russia that we still produce very good, solid defensemen.”- Ed Barkowitz (Philly.com)"

The 20-year-old defenseman sits fourth in rookie defensemen scoring with 25 points in 70 games played. Zach Werenski leads the way on the backend with 44 points in 69 games, followed by Brady Skjei of the rival Rangers with 32 points in 69 games and fellow Russian Nikita Zaitsev has 29 points in 69 games.

Feb 16, 2017; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Ivan Provorov (9) skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Provorov sits second in rookie ice time only behind Nikita Zaitsev, 34th in the National Hockey League. A thing to in keep in mind when comparing Zaitsev to Provorov is the age difference. Zaitsev is five years older with six seasons in Russia’s top hockey league the KHL.

Provorov leads the Flyers with 143 blocked shots, sitting 11th in the NHL, and leading all rookies in this category. On average Provorov has 2.07 blocks per game, and 5.71 blocks per 60 minutes. Provorov had five blocks in 27 minutes vs. Pittsburgh on March 15 as the Flyers went on to a 4-0 win. Provorov has scored only 25 points in his first 70 games, 0.35 points per game. Provorov however, adds so much more than offense as the stats above show.

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Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild is an interesting comparable for Provorov, both were selected seventh overall and are the same size ( 6’1 201); both are minute munching, shot blocking defensemen, neither will wow you with offensive numbers. Suter’s career high came last season with 51 points while averaging 28 minutes of ice time over the last five seasons, and playing 23 minutes on average since entering the league. Provorov’s ice time and production are likely to develop at a similar rate.

Already the Flyers best defenseman at just age 20. It’s safe to say ‘’Provy’’ looks to be a franchise defenseman that will wear the orange and black for many seasons to come. Provorov will be the leader of the Flyers impressive group of young defensemen.