NHL Rumor Mill – September 22, 2022
Jakob Chychrun hopes the Coyotes trade him to a contender, the Blackhawks insist they have had no trade talks regarding Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews, plus the latest on the Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CHYCHRUN WANTS TO BE TRADED TO A CONTENDER
ARIZONA SPORTS: Tom Kuebel reports Jakob Chychrun said he’s hoping the Coyotes will trade him to a playoff contender as the club prepares for another rebuilding season. The 24-year-old defenseman said he’s had constant communication with management. He also had lots of discussions with his family before making his trade request.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
Chychrun made his remarks during a press conference yesterday. He’s been the subject of trade speculation for some time but it’s believed the Coyotes have set a high asking price.
Now in his seventh season with the Coyotes, Chychrun observed that he hasn’t yet had a really good shot at not only the playoffs but also the Stanley Cup. He believes management is on board with trying to move him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been plenty of speculation suggesting the Coyotes seek a return heavy on futures. That includes at least a first-round pick and either a top prospect or a good young NHL player as part of the deal.
This is the first time that Chychrun has publicly indicated his desire to be traded. Whether that puts pressure on general manager Bill Armstrong to find a suitable trade partner remains to be seen. Armstrong continues to remain patient waiting for the right return but no one has stepped forward yet with a suitable offer.
Chychrun’s comments will ensure he remains a fixture in this season’s rumor mill leading up to the March 3 trade deadline.
NO TRADE TALKS REGARDING KANE AND TOEWS, SAYS BLACKHAWKS GM
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Charlie Roumeliotis reports Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he’s had no trade discussions regarding Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The two long-time Blackhawks stars are due to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
Kane, 33, has regularly surfaced in the off-season rumor mill. However, Davidson said there have been no conversations about moving him. He insists the focus is on Kane and Toews being part of the team right from the opening day of the regular season.
Davidson claims he hasn’t thought about trading either of them during this season. He also said the pair didn’t have any intentions of going anywhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson also said if it comes to a trade of either player they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. In other words, it probably won’t happen early in the season but things could change as the schedule goes on.
There were reports claiming the Blackhawks were getting lots of calls about Kane from interested teams. However, there’s been nothing from Kane or Toews to suggest they want out. Davidson’s been consistent for weeks now that both players are looking forward to the season and seeing how things play out.
LATEST ON THE JETS
WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen weighed in on why the Jets didn’t trade Blake Wheeler despite off-season rumors suggesting he wouldn’t mind a change of scenery. He assumes it was because general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff sought too much in return for the 36-year-old winger or asked his trade partners to take on too much of his salary.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could also be a little of both. Wheeler remains an effective top-six winger who netted 60 points in 65 games last season. However, his production was streaky during that time plus he missed time due to injuries. Interested parties could be leery of giving up too much for an aging asset.
Wheeler has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. That’s a hefty cap hit for most teams to take on. They could prefer the Jets retain up to half of it. He also carries a five-time trade list which significantly reduces the number of potential trade partners.
Scott Billeck wonders how the Jets will address their logjam on defense.
Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, Nate Schmidt and Dylan DeMelo are locks barring a trade given they all earn $3 million or more annually and the Jets won’t want to sit on that kind of money.
The Jets, however, must make room for Dylan Samberg and Ville Heinola. That will ultimately depend on new head coach Rick Bowness to decide.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One way could be trading one of those higher-salaried defensemen. Perhaps DeMelo or Logan Stanley become the odd men out.
2x 8.25 is why Wheeler is not moved.
I like what Chychrun did in this case. Normally you you don’t say this team sucks and look across the room at your teammates and say I want out Armstrong playing games with the reported ask of 4 top assets including 2 first. Ridiculous . Hopefully it lights a fire but it can also have an opposite effect . I am sure management started the rumours in the first place.
Wheeler @ 36 and underachieving (former)captain of the Jets. Jets were loaded the past few seasons upfront+ a Vezina winner in net. Never saw a real push from them. Going to take a sweet deal for someone to take him even @ TDL with the remaining year
well the cats out of the bag now. The grease has hit the fire, it’s all on the up and up. however you want to phrase it this has been the worst kept secret, since payola. Watch at least one sportswriter will have Chychrun going to the b’s. Why not take a crack at him?!
That’s funny Log jam on defense it makes it sound like the Jets are stocked on D. However, it didn’t say quality.
Unfortunately Winnipeg doesn’t have a #1 or #2 dman. They have two guys they’ll put out there as a first pairing but no one that is truly a quality first pairing.
The d will be a major issue for Winnipeg and no easy fit in site.
I’m a little disappointed in Morrissey’s development. In his first few years in the NHL, I really thought he would be a future Norris winner. In his early 20’s no other d-man in the NHL was able to stop McDavid from rushing up the boards like he was. As an Oilers fan, it was really frustrating. LOL
Kevfan, one thing missing is the effect Trouba departure on Morrisey play. They were a strong pair together. IMO Morrisey hasn’t been the same player since Trouba was traded.
Yes. Sweeney grab. Chychrun Send Wagner , Foligno. Reilly. And 2 autographs of bobby orr. And make them retain 1/2 of his salary to boot. If you must add a 7th rd pick
lol. Fantasy of a fantasy
Now that Jakob Chychrun has come out and Officially Said he’s hoping the Coyotes will trade him to a playoff contender
Garry Betaman may have to fly to Arizona and hold the General manager Bill Armstrong Hand so he can teach him how to make a trade…..❗️😂
They have been rebuilding for years and years now and still they have gone no where….god help them
I would trade Sandin, a 1st and Robertson for Jakob all day long (with salary some salary).
Going on record . Colorado won’t repeat and not finish first in the western conference . The Hangover, goaltending concerns, second line even with the now injured Landeskog on it. They will be very good but not the lock everyone is touting.
McKinnon type contracts have an effect on players. Money bag syndrome
Chycrun has had a bunch of injuries. And is currently injured. I sincerely hope the Sens don’t pay the asking price
Amen