Last night, the Coyotes made waves when they revealed that defenseman Jakob Chychrun was being sat for trade-related reasons. No immediate word came through about the likely destination for the 24-year-old but Sportsnet 590’s Nick Kypreos reports (Twitter link) that the Kings are now viewed as the team that’s likely to land the blueliner which would certainly give their back end a significant boost as they continue to jockey for position in the very tight Pacific Division.
Arizona has long been seeking a package of three first-round picks (players or comparable prospects) and Kypreos notes that defenseman Brandt Clarke is likely to be included should a deal be completed. The 19-year-old was the eighth overall pick in 2021 and made his NHL debut this season, getting into nine games with Los Angeles before being sent back to OHL Barrie where he has been dominant with 26 points in 14 games. If the trade does go through, he’d immediately become their top defensive prospect.
More from the Western Conference:
- The Ducks announced (Twitter link) prior to their game against Vegas that defenseman John Klingberg was scratched due to illness. The veteran has been a bit more productive lately, picking up nine points in 15 games in 2023 but has still underwhelmed with 20 points in 45 games on the season. Klingberg is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $7MM AAV and is widely expected to be traded over the next few weeks.
- After not having James Reimer available due to illness, the Sharks’ goalie depth got tested further today in their victory against Washington. Prior to the third period, the team announced (Twitter link) that Kaapo Kahkonen suffered an injury and he did not return. Washington center Evgeny Kuznetsov’s shoulder made contact with Kahkonen’s head and while the team didn’t provide any specifics about the injury, it could be inferred that he is in concussion protocol.
They better not trade Clarke for Chychrun. Turcotte, Grans or Laferriere and a 1st I hope
Agree on Clarke and QB is untouchable as well. Anyone else is fair game.
Would rather see them add in Vejmelka and throw in more future assets. The lack of a possible #1 goalie is going to be a problem in the next few years.
Spence, Walker, Turcotte, Laferriere and a 2024 1st.
Watching Vegas vs Anaheim; haven’t watched these teams in a while.
Vegas will be fine; Anaheim are a long way away they look like they are bungling their rebuild a’la Buffalo.
Haha! Anaheim just started their rebuild. Buffalo, not so much.
On what planet is BUF bungling their rebuild…
It’s been going on since 2011 for one thing. Certainly looks like that rebuild could officially be over. I think the point is that Anaheim looks like they might be in a continual rebuild like the Sabres have been for over a decade now.
Anaheim is one lottery ball away from exiting their rebuild. Dropping Bedard into Terry, Zegras, McTavish, and Drysdale is a pretty good start. Add in the fact that they have a ton of available cap room going forward and that team could be good for a long time.
I think Zellweger is going to be really good too. Easily the fastest guy on the ice when he’s out there in junior. Reminds me of like Quinn Hughes with a better shot
How on earth is Anaheim “bungling” their rebuild? Do explain. Terry has become a good player. Zegras and Mctavish are young and just starting to show what they can do. Drysdale is injured and there is three of four prospects in the pipeline that look like they can make an NHL impact sooner than later. Then there is the upcoming draft that will certainly help. The Ducks prospect pool is one of the best in the league. Not sure how they are bunging anything.
Anaheim’s rebuild won’t take a decade. They are realistically three years into it. So far their first picks in the past four years are looking good where they most likely will make a big impact in the NHL level is they haven’t already. Their prospect pool is one of the deepest in the NHL as well, so maybe two more years before they start making a serious run for the playoffs.