Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 18, 2022
Check out the latest on Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun and Ducks goaltender John Gibson plus an update on Joe Thornton in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
LATEST ON THE COYOTES
GOPHNX.COM: Craig Morgan reports Jakob Chychrun has been the subject of rampant trade speculation for some time. However, Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said last week that he expects the 24-year-old defenseman to report to training camp when it opens on Sept. 21.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
Armstrong said they’ve had “continued, healthy conversations” throughout the summer as Chychrun continued to rehab an injury. He also praised the blueliner’s professionalism.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors persist tying Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators but if that move was going to happen it probably would’ve by now. Armstrong has reportedly set a high asking price and has stuck to it.
We’ll likely hear Chychrun’s name come up again in rumors throughout this season depending on his performance this season. However, the earliest I see him being traded (if it happens at all) is in the days leading up to the March 3 trade deadline.
The Coyotes GM also indicated contract negotiations are ongoing with restricted free agent Barrett Hayton. “We’re in a staring contest,” said Armstrong, who sympathize with the young center.
Armstrong also indicated a decision on Andrew Ladd’s future could be coming this week. He’s entering the final year of his contract but said at the end of last season that his plans remained uncertain due to the wear on his oft-injured body.
GIBSON STAYING PUT IN ANAHEIM
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens last week reported the Anaheim Ducks won’t be trading John Gibson. “The Ducks didn’t do it over the summer. Gibson said he didn’t want to leave.”
Stephens observed that both sides appear committed to keeping the long-term relationship going “for now.” He also pointed out that the 29-year-old goaltender has another five years and $32 million remaining on his contract plus a 10-team no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens acknowledged it’s possible the relationship between Gibson and the Ducks changes. However, he considers it more probable that he doesn’t move. For now, they can comfortably afford his contract but it could become an anchor when they have to re-sign their promising young players.
UPDATE ON THORNTON
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng reports Joe Thornton recently joined the San Jose Sharks for a “captain’s skate” with Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Kaapo Kahkonen and James Reimer. However, Peng considers it unlikely that the 43-year-old forward will be returning to the Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thornton is one of the greatest playmakers in NHL history and a certain first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. As I’ve stated previously, however, his play has noticeably declined over the past few seasons as age and the wear-and-tear of 24 years of NHL hockey have caught up with him. An NHL club could invite him to training camp for a tryout but I think his playing days at the NHL level are probably over.
Thornton should hang up his skates and offer to become an asst coach on Quinn’s staff, he’d definitely help out on the bench (PP coach)
Only thing Thornton is qualified to coach is how to not win in the playoffs. The guy is a bum and if I was in management I wouldn’t want him anywhere near my organization.
The Jackets would certainly benefit from Thornton’s knowledge were he to become an assistant coach specializing in the power play.
By the time this Chychrun thing is done. It’ll be four number 1 draft picks a mainline player, 4 prospects and a partridge in a pear tree. While he might be better than Hampus, he ain’t that good. If you have to mortgage your entire future not worth it, price has to come down. Meanwhile Sweeney count on it
Will come out of his cubbyhole just before training camp ends to announce the Pasta signing. Then just like the ole Peggy Lee song Is That All there is?
Yawning 🥱 no bruins mentioned Lyles postings today ????
That doesn’t stop Leaf fans from posting about the Leafs even if there’s nothing about them
If you were a true Bruins fan you would be trashing the Habs, not the Bs on a constant basis
zzzzzzzzzz
Yeah, but that hilarious line “By the time this Chychrun thing is done. It’ll be four number 1 draft picks a mainline player, 4 prospects and a partridge in a pear tree” pretty much sums up Armstrong’s approach to being a GM.
As Slick62 points out, Chychrun has never asked to be dealt … all such speculation seems to have originated from within the Coyotes’ front offices (or cupboard, whichever is the case). And it’s not as if they’re speculating about dealing an Ekblad or McAvoy here – this guy has missed a full 26% of his team’s games since being selected 16th overall in 2016. Nor does being selected in mid-1st round automatically turn you into a player worthy of 2 1st round picks + +.
If Armstrong brought up a trade scenario it could be because he sees endless problems down the road – NOT saying that’s the way he sees it, just that it’s a possibility. Why else publicly respond to something that may also have originated from some pundit looking to fill out a column on a slow day?
We know Chychrun hasn’t asked for a trade publicly. Doesn’t mean he hasn’t internally. He is 3rd generation NHL’r in that family, so likely getting good advice.
I don’t know and the only reason I throw that out there is why is Armstrong continuing to look for a trade? Either he doesn’t believe in the player, or another reason. He is young enough to be part of the ongoing rebuild, so I don’t understand it.
Perhaps someone can make a logical argument for continuing to do this to his “best” D.
Would love to hear from Chychrun on his opinion of Armstrong’s “professionalism”. As far as I can tell, Chychrun has never requested a trade, yet he has to see his name thrown out there all off season. Armstrong should take a cue from other GM’s and stop sharing his business. Even Hayton. Why play hardball through press. What do fans think if you can’t even commit to young stars. Might have trouble selling out that 5,000 sear arena.
Follow the same source indicates. JC did request a trade and reportedly bowed out of one. The sides are working together so both are being professional
AZhockeynut – I may be splitting hairs here but he never did specifically say “trade me” – the closest he came to indicating he might like it better somewhere else was in this interview with Craig Morgan of GOPHNX.com
https://fullpresshockey.com/2022/08/22/jakob-chychrun-getting-traded-may-not-be-all-bad-for-coyotes/
when he said ““I want to win more than anybody … Everybody says that, but I truly believe it, and so, at times, that can be tough.”
But it sure seems like Armstrong took that as a trade request.
Actually what Jacob Chychrun said is he didn’t want to go through a rebuild, but he liked Arizona. Last season his d partners were AHLers and he had to play the right side when his partner couldn’t. Sure hurt his stats.
I am going on record. Bruins don’t make the play-offs. A big hill to climb before Xmas with a new coach. Arguably one of the best players in the league out until late Nov. He will need a few weeks after that to get going. Bergeron is more than likely to break down carry the load. i say misses around 20 games . McAvoy to miss several weeks as well. On top of al that they are in maybe the toughest and definitely the most improved division. If there was a time to miss , it is this year.
The Metropolitan has been and still is the toughest division. The proof is in the fact that both wild card teams in the Eastern Conference usually come from the Metro.
I would disagree Paul, might have been true a few years back, but not anymore.
4 of the top 10 in the entire NHL were in the Atlantic last year during regular season. The Metro had 2. TB has won the ECF 3 straight years.
The year before was realigned due to the vid.
BOS has some issues with age and injuries to key guys to start the year, but so does WAS. Also, not many of the lower level teams did much to improve in the Metro, where some did in the Atlantic.
I think the power has shifted.
Ray Bark, how do you explain that, last year, for the first time ever, all 8 teams making the playoffs in the East had at least 100 points? Granted, Pittsburgh and Washington are aging out of the playoff picture. However, Carolina, NYR, NYI, NJ and the Jackets are either already top four or becoming better and harder to play against. I’m even willing to predict that both wild card teams will come from the Metro as, after Tampa, Florida and Toronto, the talent level and experience level drops off. If Boston was going to have their best 23 available from Day One, they’d definitely push for one of the wild card slots, but by the time they get everyone back, it will be too much of a hill to climb.
Once Ottawa and Buffalo get their final pieces in place, the Atlantic should be the equal of the Metro.
I thought I did explain it Paul, 4 of the top 10 teams in the entire NHL came from the Atlantic. How do you square that?
The NYI were not a factor, NJ has been brutal.
Maybe Isles get it going again, but skeptical. I would be surprised if NJ got in. OTT was better than them last year and improved, not sure NJ did, or the ISLES did.
Metro used to be the best, fair enough, I don’t think they are today.
I will take that bet Florida. Tampa Washington. Canes all got Weaker. Leafs maybe as well. Not sure about goalies Time will tell
Washington in tough as well . New goalie tandem and a Backstrom Wilson out.
Sick of Hearing about Jakob Chychrun Non Trades 🤮 this guy is a 2nd paring LD man on 31 other teams
This has been the subject of Rampant Trade Garbage speculation for a year now, this stuff need to shelved……This only PR Arizona can get!!
They cant even get Barrett Hayton signed…. they are just a Messed up Franchise 😝
You just might be on the wrong site if you’re not interested in a rumor regarding a hockey player.
It’s mid September, I’ll take what I can get.