Top defensive trade target switches to the right side, presumably to audition for his new team
With the Trade Deadline approaching, the auditions have officially started. You know the defensemen playing their off-sides, forwards playing centre or their off wings to gauge the interest of teams around the NHL.
Most notably, the Arizona Coyotes continue to showcase star defenseman Jakob Chychrun, this time on his off-side, as per the Coyotes' official lineup card tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Chychrun is on the third pairing tonight also signifies that tonight is serving as his showcase before the deadline. Chychrun has historically always played the left side, but tonight he auditions on his opposite side.
If the audition on Chychrun's off-side is successful tonight, look for several teams to be interested in his services as the March 21st trade deadline approaches, the list includes the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs,
Chychrun, 23, is having a little bit of a down year this year with 2 goals and 11 assists in 41 games but is on a team-friendly 4.6M deal with the term to make any team swoon; he also can be inserted into the lineup and make an immediate positive impact for the team that acquires him.
For many teams adding a defender of Chychrun's ilk would always be a priority, but if he shows he's capable of playing both sides this will likely increase the market for his services.
Opinion: I like how Chychrun can make an immediate impact on the ice for any one of these teams; the other thing to look at here is the fact that he is only 23 years old, and he has 4 years left on his deal that won't handcuff any team looking to acquire him. I would like to see him put on a slightly more offensive-minded team and see what he can do on a contending team. I'm willing to bet his down year turns around rather quickly.
