Boston Bruins Inquire About Arizona Coyotes Defensemen
With one big name off the board in Bo Horvat, the pivot begins to shift to the other big fish on the market. Timo Meier is the biggest fish, with multiple teams calling for his services. He does not necessarily fit the Bruins’ bill in price or contract negotiations. But there is one player that the Bruins have asked for and that is Arizona Coyotes Jakob Chychrun.
Boston Bruins Inquire About Arizona Coyotes Jakob Chychrun
On the latest episode of TSN Insider Trading, Pierre Lebrun discusses that the Boston Bruins have asked about Jakob Chychrun. Despite there being a bidding war between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, Don Sweeney has entered the chat. Chychrun is an interesting case and has a lot of appeal to him. This move would not only boost their Stanley Cup odds now but would also set up the team for success in the future. He currently has a team-friendly cap hit and has two years left on his deal. In addition, he has a modified no-movement clause that does not kick in until next season. But can a move like this work?
Chychrun’s Fit On The Boston Blue Line
You can never have too many defensemen come playoff time. Injuries happen and depth matters most when it comes to the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team has experienced this firsthand seeing Brandon Carlo go down. Chychrun would without a doubt boost the Boston Bruins entirely. He has the best Corsi For among defensemen on Arizona (50.13), an xGF (48.33), and a positive goals for percentage. This is all on a poor Arizona team. Ever since returning from his hand injury, he has been great. He has 27 points in 35 games played and has tied his goal totals from last season. This would rank him third among all Bruins defensemen. Chychrun can log heavy minutes, and play on the power play unit. It gives head coach Jim Montgomery options. Being on the team Boston has constructed would boost his production.
Boston has a deep left side. Hampus Lindholm has been a mainstay since arriving from the Anaheim Ducks, Derek Forbort is a shutdown third-pair guy who kills penalties, and then Matt Grzelcyk is an offensive threat who pairs nicely with Charlie McAvoy. But with only three allowed on the ice, where does Chychrun fit? Someone would be the odd man out, but Chychrun can also play the right side. There is more flexibility on that side as well.
Can The Bruins Pony Up The Asking Price?
The asking price for Arizona Coyotes Jakob Chychrun is going to be high. It always was high and given the way he has played, that won’t appear to change. Can the Bruins pony up?
Don Sweeney does not own a second-round pick for the next two seasons as part of the Lindholm trade. Totally worth it to be known. However, he does own first-round picks in the next three drafts as well as some third-round picks. But what the Bruins lack is a strong prospect pool.
If they get into a bidding war with other teams such as Los Angeles, they are toast in the prospect department. The only legitimate prospect the Bruins have at their disposal is Fabian Lysell, whom I do not think they are keen on dealing. What is worth mentioning is that a roster player could go the other way in a potential deal; such as Brandon Carlo or Matt Grzelcyk.
It remains to be seen, but with the deadline approaching it is worth keeping a watch on.