Why The Bruins Will (and Won’t) Get Jakob Chychrun
By Joe Palencia
The news swirling around an imminent Jakob Chychrun trade will surely be the powder keg that NHL GMs are waiting for. The Boston Bruins are one of the teams that has not only been rumored as a strong suitor but that the Bruins have kicked the tires on a potential deal.
Chychrun is set to bring the Arizona Coyotes a good haul for his new team. The Bruins could acquire his services at the deadline but it would come at a high price. The Bruins reportedly checked in on what it would take to get the 24-year-old in black and gold but nothing came from it. Boston could be holding to see if the price goes down but the other players for the young defenseman won’t let him go without a fight either.
To Get Him
Boston would have to outbid Toronto, Los Angeles, Carolina, Edmonton, and Buffalo among others who might jump in just to raise the price. Three of those teams in the list are probable matchups for the Bruins early on in the playoffs so that right there is a big reason to get Chychrun. Adding to the blueline would also help with spreading out minutes. Chychrun is a solid defenseman and could be a good fit in Boston. He would give Jim Montgomery the option to cycle in a third D-man to quarterback the power play. Chychrun has almost 800 career power-play minutes with 44 points in that time. Montgomery loves switching up looks and if the Bruins manage to make the big splash by getting Chychrun, Montgomery could have 3 power-play lines with a different leading defenseman. Do the Bruins need to add Jakob Chychrun to win the Stanley Cup? No. Would it help them? Absolutely. Boston could not only trade for Chychrun but they could also keep them. They’re gonna have
Not To Get Him
Trades aren’t a given at any moment. GMs could have an agreement and be just about to call it into the league office before a new godfather offer comes in and shakes up the whole deal. This could be the main factor that causes the Bruins not to get Jakob Chychrun. Other teams, especially those in the line of fire for Boston’s wrath would be kicking themselves if the Bruins were able to get Chychrun. Those teams could drive the price out of Boston’s range. The Bruins are negotiating a contract extension with star forward David Pastrnak before he hits free agency and likely garners more than the already insane value he commands. Don Sweeney might draw the line at draft compensation, Boston already lost their next two 2nd round picks. While Boston might be at the top now their prospect pool is not great so their draft picks are valuable. But with 7 unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, Boston has some room to play with salaries if teams are willing to take the expiring contracts. Should the Coyotes ask for Fabian Lysell I think the Bruins say no. Boston is doing great as it is and adding a new player this close to the end of the season could mess up the momentum the team has. Pair that with Fabian Lysell represents the possible future of the center spot in Boston, I don’t think Sweeney makes that deal.
If a deal does get done I think you send Brandon Carlo, Chris Wagner, and a 2025 1st round pick after some bidding. Arizona shouldn’t want young prospects because they should be trying to build something that free agents would want to move to. Brandon Carlo is a free agent this summer and his contract makes up most of the value of the trade while Chris Wagner is an NHL-level guy playing in the AHL.