Jakob Chychrun trade rumors: Four potential destinations for Coyotes defenseman at the 2023 trade deadline
After more than a year of speculation and rumours, a deal with Jakob Chychrun is imminent.
The Coyotes have kept the 24-year-old defenseman out of games since Feb. 11 “Trade related reasons.” General Manager Bill Armstrong continues to work the phones as he plans to close a trade before the March 3 close.
Chychrun was a potential candidate as of the 2022 deadline, but no deal was finalized at the time, and he remained in Arizona. His name was thrown around in trade talk again this summer, but again there was no movement despite his trade request. Now the only question that remains is where will he end up.
The puck-moving fullback has two years left on his contract, which includes a very team-friendly $4.6 million AAV. However, its modified no-trade clause goes into effect after this season, and Arizona wants assets back to help them rebuild.
The Boca Raton, Fla. native has played in 36 games this season, recording 21 assists and 28 points. He also has an average time on the ice of 23:15 and has added 56 blocks and 43 hits.
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There were many clubs interested in Chychrun, both playoff contenders and builders. With a trade imminent at some point, here are four potential targets for Chychrun.
Four potential landing sites for Jakob Chychrun
Boston Bruins
It feels unfair that a team that’s been the best in the league all season could win a player of Chychrun’s talent but the Bruins continue to attack the defender.
Boston is targeting a left-footed defender on deadline day. While cheaper rentals like Vladislav Gavrikov and Carson Soucy are being considered, the Bruins are also reviewing the top option in Chychrun. The signing of Chychrun would mean the team would keep Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm and Chychrun in their two best defensive pairings not just for this run but for the next two seasons.
As far as prospects go, the Bruins are easy. Unless they’re willing to move Fabian Lysell, the Coyotes could find a better deal elsewhere. It’s also unclear whether the Bruins would be willing to switch a young player given the group’s good performance.
Regardless of the move, cap space is an issue for Boston and will be a factor in a chychrun trade if it does.
Kings of Los Angeles
Just a week ago, it felt like a Kings-Coyotes deal involving Chychrun was inevitable. Los Angeles have been one of the teams that have been consistently linked with the defender over the last year and beyond, and there has been reports that these talks have picked up speed.
However, Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman reported that a deal between the two teams stalled as the Kings wanted the Coyotes to take on another player whose contract they wanted to postpone. There were no confirmations about the player, but many speculated that it was goaltender Cal Petersen, who was demoted to the AHL and has a $5 million cap over the next two seasons.
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Chychrun to the Kings makes a lot of sense. The team doesn’t have a real top defender on the left and he could be that answer. Plus, Los Angeles has the prospects and tips Arizona is looking for.
The Pacific Division is wide open and the Kings will need to upgrade their group if they want to win a playoff series for the first time since 2014.
St. Louis Blues
Although not at the forefront, the Blues have been one of the clubs Report to the Coyotes about the availability of Chychrun last year. Now it seems there’s a real possibility that St. Louis could land the young defender.
The Blues traded pending free agents Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly, waving the white flag for this season. The team is outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference, with five teams ahead of the Blues in the Central Division.
However, because of the two trades, St. Louis suddenly has three first-round picks in 2023, plus additional second- and third-round picks in 2024. That’s more than enough draft capital to take a step to Chychrun.
The Blues build their core around young players like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich. Chychrun would fit perfectly into this group and help with the refit for next year.
Ottawa Senators
There’s been a lot of chatter this offseason about Senators taking the final step out of rebuilding this year after bringing in Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux. However, defense was and remains an issue, resulting in Ottawa sitting bottom of the Eastern Conference table.
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The Senators are another team that seems to be a good fit for Chychrun. While their top two defenders – Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson – are both left-handed, Chychurn has played on the opposite side before and could slide to either of the two on the right.
However, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported earlier this month that Arizona’s asking price was too high for Ottawa. The package would need to include two first-round picks and a prospect like Ridly Greig. Also, GM Pierre Dorion traded away the number 7 in 2022 and doesn’t want to face the potential of going two or three years without a first-round pick.