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After over a year of speculation and rumors, a Jakob Chychrun trade is coming.
The Coyotes have been holding the 24-year-old defenseman out of games since Feb. 11 for “trade-related reasons.” General manager Bill Armstrong continues to work the phones as he aims to complete a trade ahead of the March 3 trade deadline.
Chychrun was a potential candidate at the 2022 deadline, but no deal was done at the time, and he remained in Arizona. His name was thrown around in trade chatter again this summer, but again, there was no move despite his trade request. Now, the only question mark that remains is where will he end up.
The puck-moving defenseman has two more years left on his contract, which carries a very team-friendly $4.6 million AAV. However, his modified no-trade clause kicks in after this season, and Arizona wants to recoup assets to help their rebuild.
The Boca Raton, Fla. native has skated in 36 games this season, registering 21 assists and 28 points. He also is averaging 23:15 time on ice, and has added 56 blocked shots and 43 hits.
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There have been plenty of clubs interested in Chychrun, both playoff contenders and rebuilders. With a trade coming at some point, here are four potential destinations for Chychrun.
Four potential landing spots for Jakob Chychrun
Boston Bruins
It feels unfair that a team that has been the best in the league all season could gain a player of Chychrun’s talents, but the Bruins continue to be in on the defenseman.
Boston is targeting a left-shot defenseman at the deadline. While cheaper rentals like Vladislav Gavrikov and Carson Soucy are being considered, the Bruins are also looking at the top option in Chychrun. Bringing in Chychrun would mean that the team has Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm and Chychrun locked in their top two defensive pairings for not just this run, but the next two seasons after.
In terms of prospects, the Bruins are light. If they are unwilling to move Fabian Lysell, it’s likely the Coyotes could find a better deal elsewhere. It’s also unclear if the Bruins would be willing to move a young rostered player considering how well the group is performing.
No matter what the move is, cap space is an issue for Boston, and will be a factor in a Chychrun trade, if it happens.
Los Angeles Kings
Just a week ago, it felt like a Kings-Coyotes trade involving Chychrun was inevitable. Los Angeles has been one of the teams consistently tied to the defenseman over the last year-plus, and there were reports that those conversations picked up steam.
However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that a deal between the two teams hit a bump, as the Kings wanted the Coyotes to take on another player whose contract they wanted to move. There have been no confirmations on the player, but many speculated that it was goaltender Cal Petersen, who was demoted to the AHL and has a $5 million cap hit for the next two seasons.
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Chychrun to the Kings makes a ton of sense. The team does not have a bonafide top defenseman on the left side and he could be that answer. Plus, Los Angeles has the prospects and picks that Arizona is looking for.
The Pacific Division is wide open and the Kings are going to need an upgrade to its group if they want to win a playoff series for the first time since 2014.
St. Louis Blues
While not at the forefront, the Blues have been one of the clubs to check in with the Coyotes about Chychrun’s availability over the last year. Now, it feels like a real possibility that St. Louis could land the young defenseman.
The Blues traded away pending free agents Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly, waiving the white flag for this season. The team is on the outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference, with five teams ahead of the Blues in the Central Division.
However, all of a sudden St. Louis has three first-round picks in 2023, as well as additional second- and third-round picks in 2024, as a result of the two trades. That’s more than enough draft capital to make a move for Chychrun.
The Blues are building their core around young players like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich. Chychrun would fit in perfectly with that group and help the retool for next year.
Ottawa Senators
There was tons of chatter this offseason about the Senators taking the final step out of the rebuild this year after bringing in Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux. However, defense was still a concern and it remains so, resulting in Ottawa sitting towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
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The Senators are another team that seem like a great fit for Chychrun. While their two best defensemen – Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson – are both lefties, Chychurn has played on the opposite side before and could slide to play with either of those two on the right.
However, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported earlier this month that the asking price from Arizona is too high for Ottawa. The package would have to include two first-round picks and a prospect like Ridly Greig. Plus, GM Pierre Dorion traded away the No. 7 pick in 2022 and does not want to face the potential of going two or three years without a first-round selection.
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