NHL Rumors: Chychrun Trade Market About To Heat Up

After missing every game this season so far, Jakob Chychrun is expected to return to the Arizona Coyotes' lineup next week, per Chris Johnston. Expect trade discussion to start to pick up.

Many teams were hesitant to trade for Chychrun before now considering he was on the injured reserve. But if he's healthy, playing well, and producing, that's the best possible outcome for the Coyotes. Teams may still be concerned that he is injury-prone, but if they have expressed interest, it likely won't stop them from trying to acquire his services.

Chychrun is on a great deal and will be able to give any back-end a push over the top to compete for a Stanley Cup. He's signed through 2024-25 for $4.6 million AAV. For a defender who scored 18 goals in 56 games in 2020-21, that's an incredible value if he can stay healthy. Oftentimes we see players who are injury-prone become worse players because of the impacts it has to their bodies. Seeing how Chychrun missed 35 games last season and has never played more than 68 games in a season, teams may be wary.

I'm sure the Coyotes and Chychrun will be glad to be through with all of the trade talk surrounding him once a deal is made. The Coyotes are still in rebuild mode and will get a great haul for their defenceman either way.