COLUMBUS --Ivan Provorov is looking forward to a fresh start with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The defenseman played his first seven NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers before he was acquired in a three-team trade that included the Los Angeles Kings on June 6.
"Any time you are joining a new group of guys, joining your team, a different coaching staff and different city, I think it's a lot of new positive energy," Provorov said Wednesday, "and to have that helps you play better and have the energy for the season."
Provorov's fresh start comes after he faced much scrutiny in Philadelphia after being the No. 7 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. The Flyers did not make the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past three seasons and qualified twice during Provorov's time there.
So it wasn't a big surprise when he received word of the trade during a vacation in Hawaii.
"I had a feeling, especially with the [Flyers] going in a little bit of a different direction, kind of a long-term rebuild," Provorov said.
The 26-year-old, though, was happy about the trade, even though Columbus (25-48-9) was the only team to finish behind Philadelphia (31-38-13) in the Metropolitan Division this season.
"There's a lot of great players and a lot of great talent, a lot of players that can make plays and play with the puck, and I think that's part of my game," Provorov said about the Blue Jackets. "I'm really excited for that."
Provorov had 27 points (six goals, 21 assists) in 82 games this season. He's had fewer than 30 points three of the past five seasons after an NHL career-high 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 2017-18. Playing with Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski with the Blue Jackets could boost his production.
"[The Flyers] never really had a full lineup and we were down and behind, didn't play with the puck as much the last two years, so it's really hard to create something offensively when we don't have the puck, when you defend the whole time," Provorov said. "That's why I'm really excited to play on this team, because there are a lot of guys that can play with the puck and there's a lot of guys that can put the puck in the net."
One of them is Werenski, who was selected one pick after Provorov in the 2015 draft. The 25-year-old defenseman is looking to rebound too after he was limited by injury to 13 games this season.
"We kind of talked a little bit during the [NHL Scouting] Combine in 2015," Provorov said. "He's a humble guy, a great guy. I'm actually excited to play with him on the same team."
Provorov is simply ready for a new start.
"I'm really excited about the players and the opportunity here to win some games and to keep getting better as a team," he said, "and you never know, hopefully we can make the playoffs and go from there."
