It appears as though Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun’s hot streak couldn’t be timed any better. Chychrun’s play has come alive in the past week or so, along with the rest of the team, as the much-discussed defenseman now has eight points in his last five games, including an overtime winner last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reports, in conversation with an unnamed NHL general manager, that the Coyotes are “swinging for the fences” on Chychrun’s ask. There appears to be an increased probability that the price could be even higher than the previously reported ask of a first-round pick and two top prospects, something that’s evidenced by the laundry list of teams that have been rumored in recent days to be interested in Chychrun’s services. Any acquisition of that magnitude for the Coyotes would jumpstart a prospect pool that’s already on the rise, likely bringing in one or two players that could be in the NHL lineup next season. It’s worth noting that the team already has eight selections in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, a number that could quickly rise to nine if they acquire a fourth first-round pick in this deal.
More trade notes, this time from British Columbia:
- Sportsnet 590’s Nick Kypreos suggests that defenseman Tyler Myers could be on the trading block for the Vancouver Canucks. With rumors surrounding another trade piece in J.T. Miller continuing to die down, the Canucks could likely look to move a variety of other players to gain assets this Trade Deadline. Myers does carry a 10-team no-trade list and has a rather bloated $6MM cap hit for two more seasons following this one, but he’s improved defensively a lot this season, especially after the team’s coaching change. Myers’ unexpected resurgence is likely to pay dividends for the team no matter what if he keeps it up through the remainder of his deal, as a solid run of play before the deadline will only increase his potential trade value for any takers.
- The Fourth Period’s Irfaan Gaffar also reports another Tyler could be on the move out of Vancouver, as he says the Tampa Bay Lightning have shown “a lot of interest” in Tyler Motte. He’s a small acquisition that the Lightning could potentially actually have the cap flexibility to make, as Motte carries a friendly cap hit of $1.225MM. He has seven goals and 14 points in 43 games this season after missing some time to start the year with injury and would add a more veteran presence to a Tampa Bay lineup that’s relied more this season on inexperienced youth than in years past.
Got away with a blatant penalty that led to the OT winner last night. A penalty should be a penalty regardless of what time in the game it occurs.
If I’m a GM I’m not interested in Myers unless there’s salary retention attached… 50% to be exact. Sure he’s right handed and yes he’s a large human being (which is two things most GMs covet in defencemen) but he is overpaid and not very physical for his size. Much like a Hal Gill, except he can skate. Whether or not they retain salary or take a bad contract back, is the move even really worth it? They won’t be much in return.
So why would the Canucks offer Tyler Myers, a right-handed D man, for $3 million retained? That means the player replacing him needs to be $3million and BETTER?
He’s very physical for his size – don’t forget, defensemen don’t bodycheck as much as forwards because they are retrieving pucks and getting bodychecked themselves. He’s got an edge and is a pain to play against.
These 50% retention deals never happen except for expiring contracts.
A first round pick AND two top prospects for Chychrun??
(ruptures himself laughing)
Would LA really do Turcotte, Vilardi and a 2023 1st???? Turcotte is not maturing well, Vilardi has back problems but is doing well in the minors……Hmmm
Can’t see any team giving that much for Chychrun right now. More of an off season deal.
I can’t see anyone giving that kind of package for him at all. That’s the kind of deal that was made for Jack Eichel, and while I’m not sold on Eichel-as-generational-superstar like other push, he’s a star center with a proven record of consistency at a high level.
Chychrun isn’t. Last season was a glittering one, the season before was good, and other than that, his career is pretty pedestrian. I’m not giving up a first rounder and two top prospects if I have no idea if I’m getting 2021 Jakob or 2022 Jakob.
What? Not physical? He has been all that brother.
I would not move him until the off season if they do move him as our defense is average at best.