What's the best landing spot for Jakob Chychrun?

Justin Cuthbert and Julian McKenzie discuss potential landing spots for talented Arizona Coyotes defender Jakob Chychrun.

Video Transcript

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: There are a few nuggets, 32 thoughts last night on Hockey Night in Canada. Had a couple interesting things in terms of player movement or potential transactions. You mentioned Chychrun and Kane. Those are the two we are going to talk about. Apparently, there's rampant interest-- and there should be-- in Jakob Chychrun. Although, his numbers this year are absolutely horrific. I mean, we're talking about league low stuff. But I've always held the opinion that defensemen on bad teams are the most difficult to analyze. And I think this is the case here because when he was playing on a good team, his numbers were, hey, let's talk about him for Team Canada level when the NHL was still going to the Olympics.

So a really valuable defenseman based on his performance and the fact that he's only being paid, I think, $4.6 million for a couple more seasons, I think until 2025. I mean, this is a guy who can have a serious impact this season and in the future here. So, of course, there's big interest in Chychrun. And Friedman and Merrick mentioned the Kings, Ducks, Bruins, Panthers, and Rangers as interested parties. So, Julian, the best fit for Jakob Chychrun in your opinion is?

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I thought about it. And I'd like to see him either on the Rangers or the Panthers. I think those two teams right now are gearing up for some pretty big runs. I know the Rangers-- I think a lot more people believe in the Panthers more than the Rangers do right now. And maybe this year for them, just getting into the playoffs and maybe winning a round would just be huge for them, whereas the Florida Panthers, they've been knocking on the door of being a legit team for a couple of years now. And they need to start racking up some series wins. I think it's a little bit more urgent for them.

But I still think those two teams in particular, if you put a situation where Chychrun is playing in Florida, you ease off some pressure on guys like MacKenzie Weegar and Aaron Ekblad, for example. You put him and the Rangers' side of things-- I know they're pretty loaded on defenseman there. But maybe a guy like Patrik Nemeth can just be a seventh defenseman, and you could put Jakob Chychrun in your top four of defenders there. I think those two teams in particular. Not to mention both those teams are really good on their offense. And Jakob Chychrun in his best moments is a really good offensive defenseman. I'm just curious about the asking price for it. In Montreal, we keep hearing about how Ben Chiarot's going to go for a first round pick.

For a guy like Jakob Chychrun who's like 23 years old who is able to put the puck in the net as a defenseman, like, people are bringing up the idea that like he could probably go for a similar return like when Brent Burns was dealt from Minnesota to San Jose. Is that something teams are willing to pony up for? Maybe the Panthers might because they might be a little bit more serious about try to go on a Cup run here. Maybe the Rangers look at what they're doing and they might just take a step back. Who knows? But I think those two teams in particular, I think they might be the best fits for him.

I can understand why Boston would be in. Anaheim I'm not as convinced. LA neither just because those two teams are-- they're doing well this year. I don't know if it's worth them risking all what could be out there reporting for Jakob Chychrun. And that would essentially kind of accelerate their rebuilds. I think just the Panthers and the Rangers where there are right now as teams, they can afford a little bit more to kind of sacrifice what's needed for a defenseman like Jakob Chychrun as opposed to a team like the Ducks and the Kings.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Yeah. I think the best thing right now for the Coyotes is that you can really cast a wide net. This is not a rental. This isn't where three or four teams might be interested in that, you know, they're the ones that can compete for a Stanley Cup or believe they can compete for a Stanley Cup this year. I mean, you could go to a team that's two, three years away. You could go for a team that's getting ready for run next year perhaps. And that's why you can go from LA to Anaheim to the Rangers and Florida, two of the team's elite, because this is a guy who checks off a lot of boxes for a lot of teams. I mean, I think the Toronto Maple Leafs should be interested in this player.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I was thinking if someone was going to mention the Leafs. I thought about them too.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Obviously, Friedman and Merrick didn't mention them. But at $4 and 1/2 million, or $4.6 I think, this is the exact player they need. And what's good about the Coyotes being a trade partner is they could take on something that could get you to that payroll situation, right? Like, the Leafs trading Peter Mrazek might be a necessary evil. Maybe not even an evil. Just might be a necessity at some point here. But doing it now and leaving yourself with no depth behind Jack Campbell doesn't make all that much sense unless you get a goaltender back in return.

But if they could dump $3.8 million of Mrazek, I mean, that's only $1.2 to make up. And that's easy. They could do that with a snap of the fingers, right. Travis Dermott goes that way, all of a sudden you have that money. Not that those are the two things that the Arizona Coyotes would ever want. I think Rodion Amirov and a first round pick would also be in that package. But, honestly, what is the Maple Leafs' window? It's through 2025. And that's when Jakob Chychrun is going to be making under market value for what is a number one or a number two defenseman. I think he fits in kind of seamlessly on that team and would be a perfect fit.

But, again, the cap parameters are what they are. And that leaves maybe them on the outside looking in, at least in this discussion. I'm with you. Florida and the Rangers makes the most sense for this year. These are two teams that could be gearing up for a Cup run. The Rangers defense would be very, very dangerous with him, Adam Fox being a Norris Trophy candidate, Jacob Trouba being that hard-nosed guy that-- what's the-- the owner's name is eluding me right now.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: James Dolan.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: James Dolan. James Dolan wants that street fight style. And, of course, K'Andre Miller, who's playing big minutes. I mean, that would be a really solid top four for the Rangers to build around with Gerard Gallant and in front of Igor Shesterkin. But the Florida Panthers, I feel like they're going to be the most aggressive team. They know what's in front of them. They know they have to get through the Tampa Bay Lightning to get through to the third round in the Stanley Cup Final, perhaps. This is as good as team as they've had in forever. They haven't won a playoff round in forever.

And they have a little bit more financial flexibility than most teams because they pay their players, their superstars, less than most teams pay their superstars. So I would be shocked if the Florida Panthers aren't very involved. I don't know if they have the same prospect capital as the Rangers who can give up Vitaly Kravtsov without really blinking because they've already decided they don't really have a plan for him moving forward. But I think those to make the most sense. But I think the Leafs make sense too.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: I think so. We didn't really talk about the Columbus Blue Jackets, who I think are in the same pile as the Ducks and the Kings, in terms of them rebuilding. The Boston Bruins are pretty intriguing to me because their window compared to the other teams like the Rangers and the Panthers shrinking, shrinking, shrinking. Like, Patrice Bergeron is going to be a UFA. Who knows what's going to happen with his career. They just brought back Tuukka Rask, who is still nearing the end of his career.

This is kind of like a last ditch-- like, this has to work this year for the Boston Bruins. If they make a move for Jakob Chychrun, that is them signifying they are all in on a run that could send them to the final this year. And if the Boston Bruins are in the playoffs, it doesn't matter how they look in the regular season. You have to think about how good this team could be in a postseason. If they get a guy like Jakob Chychrun, that could really help them and their defense as well, which already has guys like Charlie McAvoy.

This is a squad I think, like, maybe they're the sleeper pick in the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes. But if they end up-- depending on how aggressive they are says a lot about how they feel about this year. And, I mean, I already kind of think that the Bruins should be looking at this is an all-in year considering what their team could look like next year. But no other way to cement that than going all in on acquiring Jakob Chychrun before the deadline.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Feels like a Boston move. Chychrun feels like a Boston player in a lot of ways. So I could definitely see that happening. And they're playing really well. you mentioned it. They've been sort of hanging around in that wildcard spot all year, playing less games than everyone else it seems. But they still got a chance to win that division. It is wide open in the Atlantic. There's four powerful teams. And we have no idea how it's all going to shake down. I do think that's a decent move for the future for them as well too because they're going to be going through some of a bit of transition, certainly if Patrice Bergeron moves on. And they're going to be looking for a little shot in the arm.

And I think a guy like Chychrun at $4.65-- $4.6, rather-- with McAvoy, with Marshon Pasternak. There's still a strong talent base there and a lot of players that aren't quite making as much as maybe they should. I think McAvoy's extension does kick in soon, though. And he'll be paid appropriately. So it'll be interesting to see. I mean, you love seeing a guy like Chychrun available because he didn't have to be. But the Coyotes are going that route it seems. And that will spice up the deadline for sure.