If there’s any truth to the rumours, the Ottawa Senators could very well trade defenceman Jakob Chychrun in the summertime. Dealing the left shot, offensive-minded defenceman makes sense on a number of fronts. One being Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Erik Brannstrom, and Tyler Kleven are all capable NHL D-man, who shoot left. Furthermore, with most of them being classified more so offensively-minded, with Kleven perhaps the exception, the Sens do need a shakeup.
With Chychrun making only $4.6 million in the upcoming season, teams would look at him as a bargain addition. Consider that many teams struggle with salary cap issues since around the COVID season due to the natural interruption of annual increases to the salary cap. However, that is slowly changing, and signing Chychrun to big money will be easier for a lot of teams in the summer of 2025. So with all that in mind, let’s look at some potential trades that make sense for the Senators involving Jakob Chychrun. It is also worth noting, that there is a big range of what the Senators management could expect as return for a player of Chychrun’s calibre and also importantly, contract. Also having another left shot possible moved, gives Kleven the possibility of a spot sooner potentially.
The First Stop of the Jakob Chychrun Trade Rumours is the Boston Bruins
Garrioch: Senators likely will take another run at Boston's Linus Ullmark in the off-season https://t.co/9jpBt2aUXP via @ottawacitizen #Sens #ottsports #ottnews #Ottawa #GoSensGo
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) May 24, 2024
The first trade is the one of recent rumours involving Jakob Chychrun. That being for the 2023 Vezina Trophy winning goaltender, the 30-year-old Swede, Linus Ullmark. As Bruce Garrioch was musing in his article, there seems to be demands in place from the Boston Bruins camp on what they believe the return should be for Ullmark. The return would include a first round draft pick, another pick, along with Chychrun. However, if the Sens make this type of inter-divisional trade, they do run into a problem. Boston is thought to be a team that the Senators are hopeful in catching in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division. Furthermore, for the Bruins, theoretically this is the type of trade adding a big name defenceman in Chychrun with no subtraction, since they have a competent number one goaltender in Jeremy Swayman already. So this really needs to be a consideration for General Manager Steve Staios and his staff if Boston is the optimal trade partner.
Can Seth Jones Be a Fit in the Nation’s Capital?
Seth Jones and Thomas Chabot has the potential to become an elite top pair. Chabot has averaged 24 minutes of ice time throughout his career, just waiting for a top flight partner. In fact, probably back as far as his rookie season in 2017-18 with Erik Karlsson. In becoming partners alongside Jones, the pair will be very talented, mobile, offensively gifted, and Jones can provide toughness given his size. Yes, this would be an expensive deal, but perhaps the Chicago Blackhawks would be willing to retain some salary given the gap in value attained. Add someone like Brannstrom as a sweetener, build Hawks roster depth, and save Sens more money. It is win-win. Moreover, the age of Jones and Chychrun is also what makes sense as we mentioned previously. Chychrun is younger and would be helpful in a couple years. This would be more aligned with the timing for Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, and the Hawks young groups development. Meanwhile, Jones can help elevate Sens to a playoff team in 2024-25.
A Hockey Trade that Makes Sense to Steve Staios and the Ottawa Senators
Other Angles from the Rumours for Staios’ Approach with Trading Jakob Chychrun
There are other options for the Ottawa Senators and their approach to the Jakob Chychrun trade rumours. Trading for Colton Parayko is a big time deal that might make the Senators contenders. A team with a top pairing of a healthy Chabot and Parayko is as strong a top pairing as you will find. Parayko brings much needed toughness to the Sens D-core. There were possible concerns with Parayko’s health, but he seems to have rebounded in 2023-24. He has Stanley Cup pedigree, and would fit on this group in a number of ways.
When it comes to moving Jakob Chychrun, the Senators do certainly have options. Maybe doing nothing is the answer, or perhaps small deals are an option. Making a sign and trade type deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning before July 1st could be an option. When they have the rights to Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba, why wouldn’t you consider it? The Senators have some flexibility in what they can provide as assets. If they’re shaking up their defence, someone like Jacob Bernard-Docker could be used as leverage. Also, forward prospects who may benefit from a change in scenery, like a Egor Sokolov comes to mind.
Main photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
