NHL Trade Rumors: Jakob Chychrun trade inevitable

The trade saga involving Jakob Chychrun from last season appears to be coming to a close. The Arizona Coyotes' ace defenseman was also absent from the team's game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

The team stated that Cychrun was scratched from the lineup owing to a trade-related issue. The reasons also hint at two possible situations that are currently going on with the Coyotes and Chychrun's camp.

The first one suggests that the trade-in is in its final stages and we will hear an official trade announcement soon. Meanwhile, there is also a second possibility that the Coyotes might keep the defenseman as long as the March 3 trade deadline approaches and strikes for the trade at the right moment.

However, out of these two possibilities, the first one seems to be more inevitable as it was reported by TFP's David Pagnotta that teams like the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and the Calgary Flames are among the top teams discussing the possibilities of a trade for Jakob Chychrun.

The Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers were also linked to Chychrun services. However, on his Saturday podcast, Jeff Marek of "32 Thoughts" stated that all of these teams are now out of the running for Jakob Chychrun.

Jakob Chychrun signed a six-year, $27.6 million contract with the Coyotes on November 13, 2018, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.

So it remains to be seen where the 24-year-old will end up, as the Coyotes are expected to make an official announcement very soon.

Jakob Chychrun's journey to the NHL

Chychrun began his professional ice hockey career in 2014 with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. During his time in the OHL, the 24-year-old received the Red Tilson Trophy as the league's most outstanding player.

He was already catching the eye of NHL clubs, and as a result, the Arizona Coyotes selected him sixteenth overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft; he has been a member of the same franchise since then.

Jakob Chychrun has played 36 games this season and has 28 points (7 goals, 21 assists). During his seven-year NHL career, the 24-year-old defenseman has played 373 games and amassed 170 points on 60 goals and 110 assists.

After donning the Coyotes jersey for seven years, it remains to be seen which club jersey Chychrun will put on next.