Leafs with rekindled interest in star Central Division defenseman?
The Arizona Coyotes have long been rumoured to be looking for the right time and the right opportunity to move defenseman Jakob Chychrun. The rumours really began to pick up steam this past season leading all the way up to the trade deadline. When there was no deal to be had at the deadline, all had quieted on the Chychrun front.
Now, in the midst of what should be a very interesting offseason, the Chychrun talk is beginnig to pick up steam again. The 24-year-old has 3 seasons remaining on his current deal at a very team-friendly $4.6M per season. Unfortunately, he's coming off of an injury-laden 2021-22 campaign that saw him put up just 21 points in 47 games.
The Coyotes are believed to be looking for 3, possibly even 4 assets according to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta. TFP also mentions that the Leafs are among the teams interested in acquiring the former 2016 1st rounder (16th overall). Obviously, if the Leafs want to make something happen, they'll have to move someone out on a very crowded left side, unless the plan would be to have Chychrun play on the right side, where he took regular shifts in 2021-22 before injury derailed his season.
The Leafs will have plenty of competition if they do decide to pursue a deal for Chychrun, as Los Angeles, Florida, Carolina, Boston, Anaheim, St. Louis and Columbus are also believed to have significant interest in the Boca Raton, FL native.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 3 | 824 ANSWERS Leafs with rekindled interest in star Central Division defenseman? Will Jakob Chychrun be a Leaf when the puck drops on the 2022-23 season? | ||
| Yes | 274 | 33.3 % |
| No | 450 | 54.6 % |
| Maybe at the deadline | 100 | 12.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
