One of the top players on the market for this trade deadline season is Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun. His trade saga has been in headlines for quite some time now, and a deal could finally be materializing for the former top prospect. We covered how the league-leading Boston Bruins were rumored to have interest in Chychrun, and now another team with interest has been revealed. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period cites “multiple well-placed sources” who say that “the Kings and Arizona Coyotes have taken things up a notch or two and have been in consistent dialogue over a potential trade.”
The Kings could use a left-handed blueliner like Chychrun, and have the sort of prospects and draft picks to interest the Coyotes. While 2020 second-overall pick Quinton Byfield is probably too much of an ask, the Kings do have the seventh-ranked prospect system according to The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler. (subscription link) The Coyotes have reportedly set a high asking price for Chychrun, but whether it’s 2019 fifth-overall pick Alex Turcotte, Harvard star Alex Laferriere, or others the Kings have the capital to meet it.
Now, for some other notes regarding the trade deadline:
- Pagnotta also reports that the Vancouver Canucks “have been engaged in trade talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs” regarding veteran defenseman Tyler Myers. While it might be quite the challenge to find a way to make the cap hit fit into the Maple Leafs’ current structure, Pagnotta did note that Toronto is not part of Myers’ no-trade protection, eliminating that potential barrier to a deal. While most (including PHR) have concluded that the Maple Leafs’ biggest needs for the deadline lie up front, it seems GM Kyle Dubas could be targeting help for his back end as well.
- Another defenseman that could be on the move according to Pagnotta is Ottawa Senators blueliner Nikita Zaitsev. The Senators are reportedly “actively trying to move” Zaitsev, who played in 23 NHL games this season. According to the report, the price in order to incentivize a team to take on Zaitsev’s deal could be a second-round pick.
- Nashville Predators 2021 first-round pick Zachary L’Heureux was indefinitely suspended by the QMJHL today. The Nashville Post’s Michael Gallagher reports that the incident in question saw L’Heureux allegedly poke a 16-year-old fan with his stick after his game against the Gatineau Olympiques. While these developments have no direct impact on the Predators’ chase of a playoff spot this season, what it could impact is their deadline possibilities. L’Heureux is one of the Predators’ top-ranked prospects and would have been one of their more valuable assets to be able to surrender in exchange for an impact NHL-er. With this indefinite suspension, it now seems highly unlikely that L’Heureux would figure in any deadline deal, meaning the team’s possibilities for who to acquire could change.
The Leafs acquring Tyler Myers is one of the most absurd things I’ve heard of.
Has anyone in Toronto seen him play? Also his Cap hit is $6,000,000. Crazy.
He’s probably pretty good in a situation where your team doesn’t need you
The three sure things in life are death, taxes….and the Preds inability to draft forwards. :/
Could it be four…? Is Chychrun worth the haul the yotes are seeking? Not much of an effort vs hawks
Toronto has Reilly/Brodin on the top line with Giordano/Holl and Sandin/Lilegren and just signed Timmons to an extension. This would be an odd move for Toronto to take on Myers with limited cap space.
it would likely mean moving Holl and his 2M plus another contract and picks
Quinton Byfield has been a major bust so far for the Kings.
Lol you don’t know anything about hockey
Byfield 20 years old and a 6’5 centre. He has looked electric since coming back from IR. Kings aren’t the Senators and don’t need to give someone with 2 seasons an 8×8. We can be patient
Byfield is still developing, both physically and on the ice. He’s 20 years old for crying out loud. Barring injury this comment will seem foolish an a couple of years. Oh yeah, he’ll be 23 then.
You must go back to an early version of Latin that eventually gave birth to what became the modern day French language and you will find that Wilf Paiement actually translates to “a lack of hockey knowledge done in a babbling fashion”. Modern day Wilf once called a rookie a bust after his first game in the NHL. He currently pretty much provides a “gem of the day” with his deep thoughts on the game.