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Analysts Call on Rangers to Stay Away From Top Free Agent to Avoid Huge Mistake

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 10:04 AM ET

The Rangers are being urged to stay away from one of the top pending free agents on the market in what he believes would be a major mistake for the franchise.

The New York Rangers have already undergone massive changes in the last several months, not the least of which was the termination of head coach Peter Laviolette and eventually replacing him with Mike Sullivan, who had just been let go by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Additionally, they've recently traded Chris Kreider, who was the longest-tenured member of the team, to the Anaheim Ducks. Ironically, they'd already traded former captain Jacob Trouba there during the season.

While they could very well be losing defenseman K'Andre Miller on the open market, one Rangers writer is urging them not to sign another noted pending defenseman.

Tom Urtz Jr. of Blue Line Station is urging the Rangers to stay away from Provorov this summer.

Although Provorov stands 6'1', weighs 218 pounds, and is left-handed defenseman that blocks shots and get physical when needed, he's a very mediocre hockey player. In many ways his underlying numbers are similar to defenders the Rangers have acquired or had interest in before, so it is totally believable that they'd consider signing him.
Here he rates out as primarily a third-pair defenseman, and at his age he's unlikely to evolve into something better. The consistency of his production speaks to the player he is, and that is a defender not worth signing.

Provorov had 33 points (7G, 26A) for the Blue Jackets this year; he's also played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Rangers are likely set to undergo additional changes this summer with their additional cap space following the Kreider trade.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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