Insider reveals what the hold-up is on the Chychrun trade; Yotes preparing to scratch Chychrun for 2nd straight game

Chychrun appeared to be close to moving over the weekend, and with the Yotes holding him out of action on Saturday night, if he is held out for a second consecutive game, it could be a sign that he'll be dealt sooner rather than later.

The Yotes didn't exactly confirm the rumour, as they have since told PHNX Now/NHL Network correspondent Craig Morgan that Chychrun was not at Coyotes practice and would be a game-time decision tonight against the Preds. It certainly sounds like a second consecutive scratch is coming.

As far as what's been holding up a potential trade, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed on The Jeff Marek Show on Monday that the LA Kings, who are believed to be the team that will be acquiring Chychrun, are currently trying to trade another player to free up the necessary cap space to be able to fit Chychrun's deal in.

I don't have any confirmation on this, so it is pure speculation on my part, but I'd imagine that the player they're looking to move is likely goaltender Cal Petersen, who signed a 3-year, $15M extension in the summer of 2021, which carries a $5M cap hit. Petersen is currently buried in the minors and the Kings recently signed goaltender Pheonix Copley to a 1-year contract extension, which will come into effect for the 2023-24 season. His AAV is $1.5M, which might indicate that he'll be the backup next season.

Of course, while Petersen might make more sense to move, it is worth noting that 37-year-old Jonathan Quick is a pending UFA, with a $5.8M cap hit. He could be the piece on the move as well. Moving either would give the Kings the space with which to fit Chychrun into the picture.

Blake Lizotte and Brendan Lemieux are two other players who were rumoured to be on the trading block earlier in the season. The Kings currently have $3.29M in available cap space. One of Lizotte ($1.67M) or Lemieux ($1.35M) could be an easier piece to move, so this could be something the Kings could look to do as well.

***Update: Chychrun will remain out of the lineup until a trade is completed, per Yotes head coach Andre Tourigny***