A few days ago, we covered an update on the ongoing Jakob Chychrun trade rumors. In that update, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that trade talks on Chychrun were more active than they’d been in recent months, and he specifically named the Columbus Blue Jackets as a potential suitor for Chychrun’s services. Today, The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline has added some more details to Columbus’ side of the equation. (subscription link)
Portzline reports that earlier this summer, Chychrun was not interested in being traded to Columbus because he did not view the Blue Jackets as a legitimate playoff contender. Now, though, after they added the offseason market’s top free agent, he seems to have changed his tune. Portzline cites sources who say that Chychrun has “informed those close to him” that he is now willing to join Columbus in a trade. Chychrun would certainly make the Blue Jackets a better team for next season, but one wonders how they would fit his not-insignificant $4.6MM cap hit into their currently tight cap sheet, especially since the term left on Chychrun’s deal would seemingly rule out any significant retention.
Now, for some other notes from the league’s Eastern Conference:
- In another piece of Blue Jackets news, we have an update on forward Gustav Nyquist’s injury situation after he left last night’s preseason contest early. As reported by Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch, Nyquist has suffered a lower-body injury and is injured on a day-to-day designation. This injury is hopefully not one that will nag Nyquist this season, as the forward is in a platform year, meaning he is set to hit free agency this summer, so he’ll want to stay healthy and have as strong of a season as possible to set him up for his next contract.
- The Ottawa Senators’ defensive situation hasn’t garnered nearly as much attention as their new-look offense has, but that doesn’t mean their blueline is without notable additions. Per the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, 25-year-old defenseman Jacob Larsson could be playing his way into “notable addition” territory. Larsson, a 2015 first-round pick, was not qualified by the Anaheim Ducks earlier this summer and arrived in Ottawa on a one-year deal. Garrioch says that although Larsson may not make the Senators’ opening-night roster, there’s “no doubt” that he’ll play in games for the team this season and has “made an impression” on the team’s management.
I applaud Kekalainen’s commitment to winning but they’re going to have to work some magic to get a deal done, stay under the cap, and compete for a playoff spot in the Metro. Washington, NY Rangers and Carolina are virtual locks in that division to make the playoffs. Best they can hope for is wildcard spot. Atlantic will like consist of Tampa, Toronto and Florida so does Columbus have enough to beat out Boston, Ottawa or Pittsburgh? Maybe. They better be careful with moving their first round pick though if they go for Chychrun.
Arizona would probably have to take some money back. I can envision something like Chychrun and Fischer for Nyquist, Bean, Texier, Foudy and a 1st.
Sorry but not even close to getting it done, first off you include Nyquist, that’s going to cost you more in the trade. Ari wants top prospects and 1 or 2 firsts, where is your “top” prospect?
Decent but not top guys on your list.
Arizona has lowered their asking price. They realized after a year of negotiations with other teams they are not getting too prospects and 1 or 2 firsts. Foudy is a former first rounder. So is Bean. Why would it cost you more to include Nyquist? He’s coming off an 82-game season where he put up 53-points and he’s on an expiring deal. If anything, he plays like that again they can flip him at the deadline for even more assets. He’s not on a bad contract, playing well and he’s healthy. Where’s your logic on that?
The first thing Columbus needs to solve is the logjam on their blue line. Werenski (7 years) Gudbranson and Peeke (4 years) and Blankenberg and Boqvist (3 years) are locked up for the foreseeable future. someone in that mix has to go. realistically, the one with the most value is Boqvist. he’s 22 and making $2.6 million and his spot on the 2nd pairing would be taken by Chychrun. Two other players who could be included are Eric Robinson ($1.6 million), he’s 27, has great speed and is coming off a 10-17-27 season. Prospect Emil Bemstrom (900k) is 22 with good offensive upside. The Jackets could include a 1st round pick. The $5.1 million they moved would allow them to free enough money to afford Chychrun (at $4.6) and leave Columbus with $6.46 million of cap space at the end of the year which would be enough to retain Gavrikov.
CORRECTION: Would leave Columbus with $1.967 ,illion in cap space, enough to retain Gavrikov with Nyquist expiring ($5.5 million) contract. I had done some earlier figuring and forgot to change the cap hit.
Chychrun doesn’t have any trade protection. It doesn’t matter if he is interested in going to a team or not. He is under contract through 2024-25 & has no power to block of the trade. If the Coyotes want to trade him to Buffalo, he goes to Buffalo. Chychrun’s interest doesn’t matter.
He has trade protection next yr, a 10 team no-trade list.