The Trade Deadline is still over a month away, but that hasn’t stopped activity from slowly beginning to increase across the league. That trend doesn’t appear to be stopping, as multiple big names are still on the market and could be moved prior to the deadline. One of those names is Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who’s probably the best defenseman available.
Trade talk has surrounded Chychrun all throughout this season, as a tough year for the Coyotes has meant a tough year for him personally on the ice. Now, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that there’s an “increased level of activity” surrounding Chychrun trade discussions, and it appears as though the Los Angeles Kings are the current frontrunner in those talks.
While it’s obviously impossible to predict a return, Pagnotta reports that sources indicate the Coyotes are interested in a package from Los Angeles that includes prospect Gabriel Vilardi. Selected 11th overall back in 2017, Vilardi’s struggled with injury during his development process but looked at home in L.A. last season with 23 points in 54 games. With just one assist in 7 NHL games this season, though, he’s been spending a lot of time with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. There, he’s chugging along with 29 points in 29 games, a positive indicator there.
The Kings currently sit with 59 points and the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. While the team’s received strong play from Drew Doughty, Matt Roy, and Sean Durzi on the right side defensively, their left side lacks a higher-end, experienced NHL defenseman. While Chychrun is just 23, he’s at least been in the league for a few seasons and even has some brief playoff experience under his belt. There’s a natural fit for him atop the defensive depth chart on a pairing with Doughty, a situation that could help him rediscover the offensive side of his game.
Please get this done Blakey, this is the guy we’ve been waiting for!
Yes please. Vallardi, Kupari, Turcotte, Faber, Maata, Walker, Brown and 1st for Chychrun and Keller.
^needs more players.
Awesome. All your rowboats for two battleships.
How about Vilardi,Roy,a lower rung forward prospect,Maata,and a 1st. Let them flip Maata
@kingsfan1968 – I think you omitted the Triple Crown Line there… ;)
Don’t give up Roy, too valuable
With Valardi’s back issue, wouldn’t Turcotte be a better choice?
Turcotte, Iaffallo (for cap purposes), and a 2023 1st
I think it’s crazy the coyotes don’t want to rebuild with this guy.
It’s the Coyotes.
Agreed. Why would you not want to build around a very good 23yr old d-man with a team friendly contract??
That being said Villardi as the center piece would be a good move for LA. Deep at forward in the coming years.
-28
Dumb stat.
Not if you’re the GM. Tells you everything you need to know about the line the player is in and how well they play together and vs. others. Granted it’s misleading a bit as an individual, but if you’re a strong performer, it should be -28 halfway through the year.
Can’t overpay or give up any of the current roster at this point. Excited to see the kings playing well but realistically still 1-2 years off with plenty of talent and cap space next year.
Villardi, 1-2 prospects in the 5-15 range, and next years 1st. Tops.
I’m ok parting w/Villardi as he’s only proven he can dominate at the AHL level…. after 5-7 games in the NHL he seems to tire out and get overpowered in his one-one battles… now after Gabe, I’m not too keen on any other ‘prospects’ hitting the road, but Blake can throw in a Tynan, Madden, Moveare, Walker, or Thomas… and maybe ONE draft pick, but we don’t really need this guy (Chychrun), as to this point the rebuild is going along A-OK in my book… #GoKings
p.s.- if we DO land Jacob, it’ll be funny to see if he ends up wearing his dads # for when he skated w/The Kings.., or if Maata will hold out on him til the season’s over? ~O_o~
Whoever the kings get, it will be a LD . Since that is what they are looking for. Wouldn’t surprise me if they also get somebody for their PP. I know they scored 2 vs ARI, but the PP needs to improve.
JC is showing that he’s not a complete dman, playing and not dominating against bottom 6 lines. Big mistake if LA does this.
Well it’s a good thing ur not in charge of a pro franchise
I don’t get why AZ wouldn’t wait till draft where the draft pick is already determined on the position of the pick
If Vilardi is part of the deal I really think that he proves alot of people wrong and has a great chance with yotes….