NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators close to landing Jakob Chychrun?
Anthony Scultore
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Jakob Chychrun is currently sitting at No. 2 on our latest Trade Bait Tracker and he could be off the list before the season begins.
Over the last few days, rumblings are growing that the Ottawa Senators are in discussions to trade for the talented defenseman.
According to Brent Wallace, who co-hosts the Wally & Methot Show along with former Senators player Marc Methot, there’ve been talks this week.
“The ask remains two 1st round picks and a high end prospect,” he tweeted. “Plus Arizona would also take Zaitsev.”
Nikita Zaitsev, 30, has two years remaining on his contract with a $4.5M AAV. He registered 11 points in 62 games during the 2021-22 campaign.
NHL Rumors: Jakob Chychrun trade
When Jakob Chychrun was injured during the second period of of 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins prior to the trade deadline this past March, his chance to escape the desert was postponed.
At the end of the year, the 24 year-old defender was asked about possibly sticking around and his response was very candid.
“I don’t know. I’m signed for 3 more years,” he said. “The trajectory of where the team is going and a lot of that stuff is important to me. I want to be in a position where I’m getting to play a week from now, not packing up.”
This past season in 47 games, Chychrun recorded 7 goals and 21 points. Chychrun also has a great contract with 3 years left and a $4.6 million AAV. That’s an absolute steal for a top 4 defenseman with the flat cap still a reality.
The Coyotes continue to demand a lot for him and rightfully so. At the time of the deadline, the believed ask was a first round pick, a young player, and a prospect.
Shawn Simpson of TSN recently confirmed the ask being high and also noted that Chychrun wants to play for the Sens.
Around the NHL Draft this summer, a report from Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch stated the Blue Jackets were ready to trade the #12 pick of the draft for a young player. That player was rumored to be Jakob Chychrun, which was also backed by TSN’s Darren Dreger.
The deal obviously did not go down, but Chychrun’s name is still out there.
Will the Senators finally be the team to land him? That answer could be coming soon.
