NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings emerging as Jakob Chychrun trade destination
Anthony Scultore
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It sounds like a new team is rising to the top of the NHL Rumors Mill regarding trade destinations for Jakob Chychrun. That team appears to be the Los Angeles Kings.
The Arizona Coyotes defenseman is still a bit away from playing this season as he recovers from a wrist injury. Many are speculating if he’ll even suit up for the squad with his trade request out in the open.
“The team approached me a couple of times (last season),” Chychrun said via NHL.com. “[I] decided to take them up on that offer and try to move on to a better situation [because of] my desire to to win in this league.”
NHL Rumors: Kings as Jakob Chychrun landing spot
On the latest 32 Thoughts segment on Sportsnet, the topic of a Chychrun trade was discussed.
“The price for the defenseman remains high,” Jeff Marek said on HNIC. “It’s essentially the equivalent of two first-round draft picks plus. So that would be a combination of draft picks, prospects and players as well. You look to teams with a deep prospect pool and the need for Jakob Chychrun, we’re all starting to wonder more and more about the L.A. Kings.”
The Ottawa Senators were considered the frontrunner to land the 24 year-old defenseman over the summer. According to Marek, the Sens are not going to give up either defenseman Jake Sanderson, or forwards Shane Pinto and Ridly Greig to make a deal.
That’s why the Kings with a deep prospect pool of their own and a need for defense may be the best destination.
The Kings have center Alex Turcotte as an excellent trade chip, but they’re also up against the salary cap and will need to shed salary to make a trade work.
Chychrun registered 7 goals and 21 points in 47 games last season despite dealing with injuries. What makes him even more valuable in a flat cap system is his contract. The two-way defender has 3 years remaining with an excellent AAV of at $4.6 million.
Darren Dreger recently discussed Chychrun suitors aside from the Kings and Sens. On his potential list are also the Blues, Oilers, Jackets, and Maple Leafs. However, any deal with them will require creativity and likely the Coyotes needing to take a bad contract back.
