The injury bug has hit the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive corps pretty hard with Jake Muzzin and Morgan Reilly both on long-term injured reserve.
Muzzin is done for the year so the Leafs have salary cap space to make a significant trade. Now that Jakob Chychrun is back from injury, NHL rumors are making the rounds the Toronto Maple Leafs will target him.
What is the asking price for a Jakob Chychrun trade?
Pierre LeBrun was on TSN’s Insider Trading segment yesterday and stated the Arizona Coyotes are asking for two first round picks ++ for a Jakob Chychrun trade to be completed.
LeBrun went on to say in his piece the reason the asking price is so high for a Chychrun trade is there is a demand for defenseman. With the Anaheim Ducks receiving a first rounder, two second rounders ++ for Elias Lindholm, who is also an older player, the Yotes want a big payday for Chychrun or no trade will be finalized.
At last years NHL trade deadline, Brandon Hagel fetched two first rounders because of his low Blackhawks salary cap hit.
When will Jakob Chychrun be traded?
Chychrun, 24, is young, has a bargain Coyotes salary cap hit of $4.6 million for two more years after this season and when healthy is a top 4 defenseman.
Chychrun also plays with grit and can put up points on the back-end. Teams would have no problem giving up the two first rounders if Chychryn would not be so injury prone.
If GM Kyle Dubas can convince Coyotes management to accept a first round pick and a top prospect a deal may get done.
If the Yotes refuse to back down from the two first round picks asking price, plus a top prospect, Chychrun will likely be a Arizona Coyote when the NHL trade deadline passes in March.
NHL trade rumors: Jakob Chychrun headed to the Boston Bruins
