As NHL free agency began Tuesday, the Blue Jackets secured another long-term deal with one of their defensemen, signing Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract extension worth $59.5 million. “Ivan Provorov is the consummate pro and has been an important player during his two seasons in Columbus,

On paper, it feels almost impossible to spin this immediate albatross in any positive light. The problem is the cost, at $8.5 million AAV.

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract extension worth $8.5 million per year. Provorov, 28, played all 82 games for the Blue Jackets last season despite a thumb injury. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell praised has Provorov's toughness and professionalism.