Ivan Provorov signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 28-year-old defenseman had 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) in 82 games for the Blue Jackets last season. He could have become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.

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,