Defenseman Jakob Chychrun was reportedly close to being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at this past NHL Entry Draft. Still, the deal fell apart according to sources, including TSN’s Bruce Garrioch. Other reports confirmed that the Blue Jackets did have interest in the defenseman, but reports were that it was Chychrun’s camp that halted the trade talks. Things may have changed from the player’s perspective, but has it from the organization’s?
There may be a few additional updates when it comes to both Chychrun’s stance and the Blue Jackets’ interest.
While a guest on The Jeff Marek Show, The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline discussed a tough start for the Columbus Blue Jackets to this season. Saying the team might start looking at other options, he linked Chychrun to the chatter of possible solutions and confirmed previous reports that there were trade rumors in Columbus that the team might be interested. He says they might be again.
Portzline reached out to the team for confirmation and denied interest, but he did say what others had said before in that the Blue Jackets were serious contenders for Chychrun’s services around the NHL Draft and that the team tried to acquire him during the first round. But, because Chychrun squashed the trade talks, the Blue Jackets have since soured on him.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, notes Portzline. He said he could see a scenario where Chychrun really wants out of Arizona and the Blue Jackets continue to struggle and these two sides come together. One scenario he doesn’t see is the Blue Jackets being willing to part with either of David Jiricek or Denton Mateychuk to make it happen.
As for other teams that are rumored to be interested, the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and St. Louis Blues have also been linked to the defenseman.
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