Latest on Chychrun, Larkin, Leafs, Flames – Sportsnet.ca

With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman made up a lot of ground on Wednesday’s Jeff Marek Show. Let’s get in:

Lots of suitors for Chychrun

Potential candidates for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, Friedman says is one of the few remaining notable players, include the Penguins, Jets, Blue Jackets and maybe even the Red Wings.

The most popular rumor is that Chychrun is going to the Penguins, although Friedman wasn’t so confident that the 24-year-old Florida native, who was signed until 2024-25, would actually go there.

“One thing is Pittsburgh has to move money,” he said. “We all know how Arizona feels about this right now. So that’s my only question. … That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it makes it difficult.”

He added that the Carolina Hurricanes are also in the mix.

“Carolina is looking for a left-hander, and Chychrun fits her profile: He’s got tenure,” Friedman said. “So, I wouldn’t say they’re the favorites, but I would say they’re there.”

Don’t buy leaves for a goalie

The Toronto Maple Leafs made three deals Tuesday, a week after making a blockbuster with St. Louis for Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari and a day after Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty landed from Chicago. All things considered, none of those deals involved a goalie, and Friedman said he doesn’t expect the team to trade for one before the deadline.

“Well, I think one thing that a lot of people wonder is will they go after a goalie, and (as far as I can tell, the answer to that is no,” Friedman said. “Well, I was surprised by a few things that have happened in the last 24 hours but i have checked if they are in the market for a goalie and i keep being told no.

The Leafs have had some success at the back of de facto No. 1 Ilya Samsonov this season, but Matt Murray, GM Kyle Dubas’ other offseason goaltender acquisition, has been sidelined for much of the season with injuries.

Friedman added that the Leafs likely have more moves ahead as they now have nine defensemen on their NHL roster following Tuesday’s moves.

“Are you going to make people unhappy because there’s just no place for them?” said Friedman. “The other thing I’m wondering is, are you dragging someone out so you don’t make people grumble that they’re like, ‘Well, I had a role before and now I don’t have one?'”

Deal approaching for Wings, Larkin

Friedman reported Wednesday that there is progress between the Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin on an extension, adding that it could happen in the coming days.

Friedman said the Larkin deal is expected to last eight years and cost between $8 million and $8.5 million.

Larkin, the Red Wings captain, is in the final year of a five-year, $30 million contract, making him a pending unrestricted free agent this summer.

Flames could be sellers

With playoff hopes dwindling in Calgary due to poor goalies and seemingly consistent early deficit defense, Friedman said it may be time to start looking at the Flames as a seller.

“A couple of teams told me that one team that could say a lot about that is the Flames,” he said, “because if they decide to sell them or switch, they have good players there.”

Friedman speculated that a player like Tyler Toffoli, who has one year left on his contract, could be a good fit for the Hurricanes. Additionally, Justin Williams, who manages Hurricanes, is a former teammate of Toffoli, dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Kings.

“I think Calgary has to make decisions,” Friedman said. “I really do.”