NHL Rumors: Arizona Coyotes Making Shocking Trade Offers

In some developing news out of the desert, the Arizona Coyotes are reportedly making trade calls around the league to gauge the interest level in defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

This comes as quite the surprise as many felt Chychrun was a core piece for the Coyotes. It's obvious the team is solely focused on a complete rebuild that even now includes the 23-year-old defender and former first-round pick. His contract takes him to the 2025-26 season, making $4.6 million annually. No-trade protection kicks in before the 2023-24 season.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to report the trade talk and had this to say via 32 Thoughts:

Arizona GM Bill Armstrong refused to comment when asked, but it now sounds like the Coyotes are gauging the market on Jakob Chychrun. I’ve heard the ask is massive, but that doesn’t mean opponents are running away. He’s signed for three more years at a very reasonable $4.6 million AAV and is a terrific player. This is one to watch.

Chychrun has appeared in 26 games and has recorded seven points. Even though he's 23, this will be his sixth season in the NHL. He turns 24 years old in March of next year.

As for trade interest, there's a ton of teams who will have interest, there's no doubt about that but who decides to ante up is the question. Word is the price tag includes at least one first-round pick and two top prospects. A steep price to pay but when you are acquiring a cornerstone defender who is still very young, it's a price tag that will be met.

Chychrun was the #16 pick at the 2016 NHL draft and jumped right into the league. Last season he finished top-10 in Norris trophy voting and teams will be hopeful he's able to get back to this type of production where he recorded 41 points in 56 games. Expect to hear a bunch of trade buzz coming out of the desert as we creep closer to the trade deadline.