Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov will miss the team’s season opener against the Buffalo Sabres after suffering a lower-body injury, with his return timeframe set on a week-to-week basis. The setback marks the first injury-related absence of Provorov’s NHL career, raising questions about his durability as he enters his first full season with the franchise. Analysts note the unusual nature of the injury given his prior history of playing through physical challenges. The team now faces the challenge of adjusting its defensive lineup without one of its key two-way defenders.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov will be sidelined for tonight’s season opener against the Buffalo Sabres. Per The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Provorov is out on a week-to-week basis with a lower-body injury. Portzline noted that this is the first time in Provorov’s NHL career that he has missed a game due to injury. He […]