I always tell my friends that once you pick a team, that is the only group you root for; you cannot switch your allegiance. However, despite my loyalty to the Penguins, it was impossible not to feel happy that the Columbus Blue Jackets played well this year and were the last team eliminated from the East playoff race.
The Blue Jackets will have an astonishing $41 million in cap space this offseason. Their biggest name that needs an extension is Adam Fantilli. However, the biggest question mark is the fate of defender Ivan Provorov. He is a UFA this offseason and it is unknown if Columbus will resign him.
Provorov is projected to get a 7-year $49 million contract this free agency ($7 million AAV). He is only 28 years old and will be 35 when that hypothetical deal would expire. My personal belief is that Columbus will go above and beyond to sign him.
There were many rumors that the Jackets would deal Provorov at the deadline, but they kept him. I have a belief that you do not keep a guy unless you have a serious plan to resign them.
Should the Penguins sign him?
Provorov would immediately be the #1 left defender for the Penguins, but the thought of a 7-year deal is somewhat scary. I mainly say this because of the trauma I have from the six-year deal Dubas gave to Ryan Graves, which has aged like milk. Provorov is durable, but seven years is quite a commitment. If the Pens made a move for him, I would rather they offer something in the 5-year $8.5 million AAV range.
Dante Fabbro
Fabbro was waived earlier this year by Nashville but was claimed off waivers by Columbus. While in Ohio, he played well, accumulating 26 points in 62 games, his career high. He is still only 26 and should not be too expensive. I would offer him a bridge-type deal of 3 years in the $5 million aav range. The Penguins need to get younger on the back end and Fabbro is a young player and a former first-round pick that might be worth taking a small chance on.