Jakob Chychrun Now Rumored To Go To Columbus Blue Jackets

Just when we all thought that the Jakob Chychrun trade rumors were dissipating, yet another one popped up to our attention. This time it is the Columbus Blue Jackets who seem to be interested in the Coyotes defenseman. The Blue Jackets could be a good fit for what general manager Bill Armstrong expects in a return involving a possible trade.

Jakob Chychrun Trade Could Still Happen

There were tons of speculation around the trade deadline that Chychrun could be acquired for the right price. Armstrong was under no pressure to trade him since he is still under contract through the 2024-25 season at a very reasonable $4.6 million salary. Yet, in a rebuild, Armstrong knows he must acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. As it turns out, that strategy seems to be working as the trade deadline nears on July 13th.

There has been literally nothing new on Chychrun and it seemed he would stay put. Craig Morgan, a Coyotes insider had this to tweet on it.

Jarmo Kekäläinen & Bill Armstrong were colleagues with the Blues. https://t.co/9RT4bWT82Z

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) July 5, 2022

Now, the Blue Jackets do have a wealth of young prospects that Armstrong may covet. One could be Corson Ceulemans, a young defenseman who played at the University of Wisconsin. While there this season he tallied seven goals, 15 assists in 34 games. “The star of Ceuleman’s game is his shot and the ability to activate off the point to fire it.”, EPRinkside.com 2021. Now, if Chychrun is dealt, it would leave a blueline spot open for such a prospect.

If Kekalainen would be willing to add a young NHL player like Jack Roslovic to the deal, the Yotes could give the Blue Jackets one of their first-round picks at #27, or #32 in exchange. It seems that with the former relationship that Armstrong and Kekalainen had these two could work out a deal before too long.

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Jakob Chychrun Wants to Win

The one thing which Chychrun was adamant about being stuck in Arizona during a rebuild, was he wants to win. The Blue Jackets have a much better postseason success rate than the Coyotes. They have gone to the playoffs five out of the last eight years. The Coyotes did appear in the pandemic-laced 2019-20 playoffs, but other than that haven’t gone since 2011-12. It has to be frustrating for a player to go season after season without even a shot at a Cup. The Blue Jackets do have a good young team and the addition of Chychrun could only help them progress.

Another Trade Option

If the Chychrun deal won’t work for whatever reason, the two teams could still do business. The Columbus club has the #6 and #12 picks. The Coyotes have the #3 pick. It has been broadcast that more than likely, the Arizona team will choose Logan Cooley if the first two picks go according to predictions. While the Coyotes do want to add a front-line center, what if they traded the pick to Columbus for their #6, and #12 selections? That would give the Blue Jackets, who also want a top-line center a chance to draft Cooley.

The Coyotes would then receive two top-12 picks with which to add to their rebuild. They could really get some good players if they had four first-rounders to build upon. They are high on Cutter Gauthier, who stands 6′-3″, 201 pounds. We all know how Armstrong loves bigger players and he fits that prototype. He could go before the sixth selection, but you never know.

Then, with the 12th choice, the Coyotes may be able to lock down another player they are high on in Brad Lambert. Here’s why Armstrong and the Coyotes like Lambert.

A Finnish-Canadian dual citizen with a rocky season in his native Finland, @EmmySadler looks into why Brad Lambert is one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2022 NHL Draft. https://t.co/uSvK6UubQo

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 3, 2022

There Are Possibilities In This Draft

When an NHL team has numerous draft picks, once teams have their draft boards done, they will want to see how things go down. If a player they want and can’t get due to their draft position, that’s when things start happening. BIll Armstrong’s phone will be ringing endlessly with offers and deals to see if he is interested. We all know that Armstrong is a screwed negotiator and will make a deal only when it works for him and his objectives for the Coyotes’ success.

The NHL draft is quickly approaching, and deals will be made. Then, when the dust settles, Armstrong will see what kind of trades he can make before the deadline.

One of the teams he deals with could very well be the Columbus Blue Jackets.