Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov has been placed on injured reserve and is listed week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The absence halts a remarkable durability streak, as Provorov has never missed an NHL game due to injury across his 10-season career.
The 29-year-old defenseman has played 778 career regular-season games, which included a consecutive-games streak of 375. The only three games he previously missed came due to COVID-19 protocols during the 2021-22 season while playing for Philadelphia.
Ivan Provorov Sidelined Ahead of Season Opener
The Blue Jackets open their regular season schedule against the Buffalo Sabres. Provorov’s placement on injured reserve on Thursday leaves a significant hole on the Columbus blue line. Last season, the veteran logged 82 games, recording nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points while averaging 24:49 of ice time per game.
“This guy, he’s a warrior, man,” Bowness said. “He’s just heartbroken that he’s not playing. Like he unreal. He would go to 20 doctors and just hopefully find one that would say, ‘Right, you can play.’ … He’s heartbroken that he’s not playing. This guy just loves to play and he’s the ultimate team player, the ultimate team warrior. So that’s a tough one.”
Defensive Injuries Compound Blue Jackets Roster Pressures
The blue-line attrition extends beyond Provorov. Dante Fabbro was also placed on injured reserve by the Blue Jackets after sustaining an upper-body injury during a preseason game against the Red Wings. Fabbro’s exact return timeline remains unclarified by the club.
Compounding matters, defenseman Damon Severson will miss at least the first two games of the regular season, as reported via Jason Newland of The Hockey News. Severson underwent shoulder surgery late last season, and the coaching staff opted against rushing him back into game action. Bowness indicated an aspiration to return Severson to the lineup for the home matchup against Pittsburgh.
In response to the mounting injuries, Columbus signed Carson Soucy to a one-year, $1.15 million contract on Tuesday to provide immediate defensive depth. The depleted pairings also open potential expanded minutes for younger prospects such as Denton Mateychuk.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Blue Jackets Defense
When did Ivan Provorov sustain the lower-body injury?
The Blue Jackets announced Provorov’s week-to-week designation and placed him on injured reserve on Thursday ahead of their regular-season opener.
How many consecutive games had Ivan Provorov played before this injury?
Provorov played 375 regular-season games prior to being sidelined by this lower-body issue.
Who else is missing from the Columbus defense for Opening Night?
Dante Fabbro is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and Damon Severson is sidelined for at least the first two games of the season following late-season shoulder surgery.
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