Ivan Provorov’s historically unenviable position

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesWhen the Flyers drafted Ivan Provorov seventh overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, many fans and media members believed the Flyers had potentially found the homegrown number one defenseman this team has never had in its history. They would have a stalwart around whom they could build a defense corps and no longer have to hope and pray that an established franchise defenseman would become available via free agency or trade. Through his first two NHL seasons, things appeared to be trending in that direction. Provorov would gradually be given more responsibility throughout his rookie season, improving with each passing game; and by the end of his sophomore year, Provorov would be tied with Dougie Hamilton as the leading goal scorer among defensemen for the 2017-18 season, leaving very little doubt that he was well on his way to becoming one of the top defensemen in the game and a future Norris Trophy winner.

…