Rumours began to surface that the Leafs had pulled out of the bidding due to the asking price from Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong putting the 23-year-old defenseman out of the Leafs' range in terms of what they were willing to pay. Now we have some clarity as to how high the asking price has risen to.
Per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski:
Obviously, the Yotes don't HAVE to trade Chychrun. He's still young enough and skilled enough that he could certainly fit into the team's master plans during the rebuild. So why not have a high asking price?
If the ask exceeds a 1st round pick and a pair of top prospects, it's no wonder why the Leafs had withdrawn their interest. I certainly can't blame GM Kyle Dubas for not wanting to part with a 1st round pick, Matthew Knies, Topi Niemela and another piece - which was probably the ask from Arizona.
POLL | ||
12 MARS | 463 ANSWERS We now know why the Leafs backed off on Chychrun; asking price reportedly astronomical Would you pay this price if you were Kyle Dubas? | ||
Not a chance | 301 | 65 % |
100% | 50 | 10.8 % |
Maybe one of Knies or Niemela; not both | 58 | 12.5 % |
He'll go for less than the asking price | 54 | 11.7 % |
List of polls |