© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b405c0b2-7013-4f17-a18c-8f69647b5cf0.jpeg] © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year extension worth $72 million, carrying an AAV of $9 million per season. While it’s great that Chychrun has finally found a home and secured a big payday, fans around the league know this signing will have a ripple effect. For Columbus Blue Jackets fans, this likely impacts the contract Ivan Provorov could receive this summer. Provorov, a pending free agent, was retained by the Blue Jackets at the March 8 trade deadline—and rightfully so, as they remain in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. But now, with Chychrun landing $9 million per season, the question becomes: what will Provorov command? Blue Jackets Halt Six Game Skid; Roy and His Players Have Strong Words For The Officials [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0551c83f-0b93-434c-8abd-3de945deee9a.jpeg] Blue Jackets Halt Six Game Skid; Roy and His Players Have Strong Words For The Officials <b>Adam Fantilli</b>(22), <b>Boone Jenner</b>(2-SHG), and <b>Kirill Marchenko</b>(26) scored the goals for Columbus, and Elvis Merzļikins made 30 saves, including all three Islanders shootout attempts, to beat New York on Long Island in comeback fashion. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-halt-six-game-skid-roy-and-his-players-have-strong-words-for-the-officials] It’s an interesting debate because these two defensemen play different styles. Provorov has offensive ability but leans more toward a two-way/defensive role, whereas Chychrun is more offensively driven. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a deeper look at how Chychrun’s contract might affect Provorov’s potential deal—and if it does, by how much. First, let's look at their games played, points, and points per game stats. CHYCHRUN: 2024-25 Season: Games: 65 Points: 43 (18G + 25A) Points Per Game: .66 PPG Career: Games: 532 Points: 259 (94G + 165A) Points Per Game: .48 PROVOROV: 2024-25 Season: Games: 70 Points: 30 (7G + 23A) Points Per Game: .42 Career: Games: 684 Points: 279 (77G + 202A) Points Per Game: .40 Mathieu Olivier & Boko Imama Drop Gloves In Heavyweight Tilt [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/017df6af-a685-467d-8bf0-ceba3a55b710.jpeg] Mathieu Olivier & Boko Imama Drop Gloves In Heavyweight Tilt Last night, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Boko Imama dropped the gloves in a heavyweight tilt at center ice. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/mathieu-olivier-boko-imama-drop-gloves-in-heavyweight-tilt] Over the course of their careers, Provorov has recorded more points in more games. However, Chychrun has a higher points-per-game rate. If Chychrun were to play the additional 64 games to match Provorov’s total, he would be projected to add roughly 30 more points, bringing his total to 289 points in 684 games. One important factor to consider with Provorov is that he isn’t the Blue Jackets’ top defenseman the way Chychrun is for Washington. Zach Werenski holds that role in Columbus, so Provorov shouldn’t be expected to be paid like a true No. 1 defenseman. With Chychrun signing for $72 million over eight years, Provorov could command somewhere around $55 million over seven years if he hits the open market, which would give him an AAV of $7.85 million. If he were to re-sign with the Blue Jackets and wanted that same $55 million spread over eight years, his AAV would drop to $6.87 million due to the extra year Columbus can offer. Regardless of whether Columbus extends him, Provorov shouldn’t be in the same salary range as Chychrun or defensemen making north of $9 million. That tier is reserved for elite defensemen, whereas Provorov likely falls into the second or third tier of top NHL blue-liners. Former Blue Jackets Defensemen Having Tough Time With New Team [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/64ff9c41-0792-422b-a9f5-26495b9df7c2.jpeg] Former Blue Jackets Defensemen Having Tough Time With New Team Former Columbus Blue Jackets blue liner David Jiricek is in a situation he is all too familiar with. He has been a healthy scratch for the last nine games for his new team, the Minnesota Wild. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/former-blue-jackets-defensemen-having-tough-time-with-new-team] LeBron James Wears CBJ Stadium Series Jersey At Lakers Game [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e6e4bc6d-b138-4aea-9e02-1f6471c0c4d1.jpeg] LeBron James Wears CBJ Stadium Series Jersey At Lakers Game NBA star LeBron James was seen wearing a Columbus Blue Jackets Stadium Series jersey at the Los Angeles Lakers game last night. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/lebron-james-wears-cbj-stadium-series-jersey-at-lakers-game] Boone Jenner And Yegor Chinakhov Facing Unfair Criticism [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/26b2359f-622c-4c68-9c19-8a785a751719.jpeg] Boone Jenner And Yegor Chinakhov Facing Unfair Criticism The Blue Jackets are struggling big-time. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/boone-jenner-and-yegor-chinakhov-facing-unfair-criticism]
