With all the rumours flying about Jakob Chychrun possibly being traded, let’s discuss where he could possibly land. While he may not be traded at all due to the large return the Coyotes seek, it still could happen. Many teams are attracted to his $4.6 million contract good through the 2024-25 season. He has an excellent offensive upside and even though he’s having a down season thus far this year, his value is off the charts. It has been reported that it may take four pieces to gain his services with another team. That may leave plenty of teams on the outside looking in, but here are five teams who can land the talented blueliner.
Possible Trade Destinations For Arizona Coyotes Jakob Chychrun
Toronto Maple Leafs
Whenever a big trade rumour surfaces it seems that you’ll hear the Toronto Maple Leafs name bantered about. While they show that they have $8.4 million in cap space, they really don’t have that much. You see, forward Mitch Marner is out with a shoulder injury that has him and his $10.9 million salary sidelined. When Marner returns, the Maple Leafs will have the same familiar problem of limited cap space. While they may covet acquiring Chychrun, they would need to move out some salary to make it happen. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The Toronto club is hungry to get beyond the first round of the playoffs and adding Chychrun may have them salivating.
Boston Bruins
Chychrun could really flourish with the Boston Bruins. They need a left defenceman but would need to send some salary cap money to the Coyotes to make it happen. The Bruins can always dangle Jake DeBrusk as a trade component. Just the thought of the Bruins adding Chychrun would make their defence the envy of the rest of the NHL. They could have Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, and Charlie McAvoy along with Chychrun. Now that’s a formidable blueline. The thing is the Coyotes would more than likely want one of the current blueliners to replace Chychrun. The Bruins have to be attracted to Chychrun’s offensive game and could make an offer to the Coyotes.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have only $3.2 million in cap space, so they would need to get a bit creative to be in the running for Jakob Chychrun. They could actually be anticipating a pretty awesome blueline if they could add Chychrun. They already have Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim on left defence and with Chychrun added to that lineup they would be set for a while. Their blueline would be young too. Provorov is just 24 and Sanheim is 25. The Flyers’ defence has struggled so they could be looking to add Chychrun to be the final piece of the puzzle.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks seem to have new life ever since new head coach Bruce Boudreau came onboard. They’ve won six straight and feel they can at least capture a wild-card spot now that they found their winning ways. With only $2.8 million of cap space to work with, it will be a challenge to gather in Chychrun. Currently the Canucks can score, but the defence has been their weakness. They are thin at left defence and that’s where Chychrun fits into the picture. He could also be reunited with ex-teammates Conor Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. It would certainly take some stress off of Quinn Hughes with Chychrun featured on the second unit. Don’t forget the two teams have trade history and that could factor in to help the process.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have $6.2 million in cap space but possess something the Coyotes endear… prospects. While general manager Bill Armstrong has collected numerous draft picks going forward, he could also use some promising prospects who had more than a drink of water in the NHL. The Kings blueline is ageing quickly with Drew Doughty turning 32 recently. Chychrun is just 23 and has many NHL years ahead of him. The Kings have been in rebuild for several years and really need an upgrade on defence. Chychrun could fit blend in well playing in Tinseltown.
Final Analysis
At this point, Jakob Chychrun may or may not be moved. The Coyotes will take their time to get the best deal they can. As the trade deadline approaches more serious discussions will take place. This is very reminiscent of the OEL/Garland trade-in that was rumoured for a while before anything came to fruition. You can be assured that Bill Armstrong has done his homework on what kind of return he will accept. He has a valuable asset and won’t just give it away. The thing is that if Chychrun does get dealt, does that mean others may go as well? Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, and Barrett Hayton have got to wondering that same thing.
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