The Arizona Coyotes might still be seeking the high asking price of two first-round picks plus a prospect for defenseman Jakob Chychrun, it reportedly hasn’t stopped one top contender from inquiring about his services.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Boston Bruins have targeted Chychrun as the trade deadline gets closer. This is how the insider explained his in his latest 32 Thoughts column:
“Boston is also believed to be in the left-defence market. Would not be surprised if they’ve checked in on Jakob Chychrun and Vladislav Gavrikov, among others. They’ve got special chemistry, and tampering with that can be dangerous. But this is an absolute go-for-it year because you don’t know how long the group will be together. You also don’t know how long you’ll have your top two centres combining for $3.5 million against the cap — an absolute gift from Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. (Yes, they’ll have to deal with bonuses next season, but it’s still a gift.)”
It sure looks like the Bruins are in a win-now mode and could make a huge play on the trade market to ensure a long playoff run, even a Stanley Cup win before captain Bergeron hangs up the skates.
The Coyotes remain patient on the Chychrun trade front, because they don’t actually have to move him before March 3. Chychrun is under contract through 2024-25 at $4.6 million annually and the tight cap hit makes it almost certain that money will need to be shed in some ways to make room for the blue liner.
On top of the Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators have been scouting Coyotes’ games and taking a closer look at Chychrun.
The Bruins, who lost out of the Bo Horvat trade earlier this week, might decide to pull the trigger sooner rather than later when it comes to bolstering their blue line.
Stay tuned.
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