Trouble brews in Arizona, beyond just where the Coyotes will play next year. Once again, the team finds themselves at the bottom of the league, with wins becoming increasingly rare. It’s plain to see that a complete revamp of the organization–including the roster–is coming, and the club’s few valuable players are becoming trade targets. Jakob Chychrun, the impressive young blue-liner whose stats have taken a dip this season is the one who may hold the most value.
Several outlets are reporting that the Coyotes have received multiple offers for Chychrun, an offensive-minded defenseman who could be a great addition on the power play. He has a big shot and an offensive mind, which is certainly attractive to teams that are looking to make a playoff push. What’s more, Chychrun has a very, very team-friendly contract, valued at $4.6 million through the 2024-25 season, with a modified no movement clause for the last two years of the deal. It could be a very good investment for many clubs.
- Jakob Chychrun stats (2021-22): 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points, 2.2% shooting, 35 hits, 39 blocks
Here are three ideal trade destinations for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun:
The Florida Panthers go all-in for Jakob Chychrun
The Cats are rolling, playing league-leading hockey and consistently generating big wins. They already have a solid offensive blue-liner in Aaron Ekblad, but adding depth would be ideal for a club looking to make a deep playoff run. Chychrun’s plus-minus issue would be fixed in Florida and, considering he would have a lot more talent to work with around him, he could easily top his career stats to date and generate huge opportunities playing in Florida.
The Panthers would have to give up a lot, though, which could mean losing goaltender Spencer Knight, rookie forward Anton Lundell, and even some picks in the deal. It may be a setback as the Panthers look to the future, but Chychrun surely helps them win now.
Could Jakob Chychrun join the New York Rangers?
As the Rangers’ surprising season continues, they could look to Chychrun to solidify their place at the top of the Metropolitan division and help them make a deep playoff run. Their already solid 24.6% power play would see a huge boost with Chychrun on the blue line, and they certainly have enough cap space to take him without giving up any big name, high-cost players in return.
- Jakob Chychrun contract (2021-22): $4.6 million cap hit
Of course, that leaves prospects and picks as returns, which could see first-rounders like Alexis LaFreniere, K’Andre Miller or Kaapo Kakko on the move, and could even mean parting with a first round pick in the upcoming draft. Chychrun and Adam Fox together could be dangerous and propel the Rangers even higher.
3 ideal Claude Giroux trade destinations
Jakob Chychrun could be in an Anaheim Ducks jersey soon
TSN’s Darren Dreger noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs and several other playoff-contending teams would have to get really creative in order to make getting Jakob Chychrun a possibility. But, there’s another team like the New York Rangers, who don’t have to do much to acquire Chychrun: the Anaheim Ducks. The team currently has over $10 million in cap space (though an injury to Adam Henrique affects that number, as it will be cut in half upon his return). Still, acquiring Chychrun’s contract is extremely manageable, and the Ducks’ rebuild is going swimmingly, exceeding expectations.
The Ducks could secure themselves a playoff spot in the struggling Pacific division if they add the offensively reliable blue-liner, and he could certainly accelerate the team’s rebuild, making him an attractive target for the Anaheim Ducks. He’d join vets like Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, as well as up-and-comer Jamie Drysdale on a blue line corps that seems to be pretty well set for a rebuild.
Related: NHL games today – 2022 NHL offseason calendar, NHL Draft, free agency