What to Make of Alexis Lafreniere's Season Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg3MzE5NzIzMzIxNDY4ODEz/usatsi_17608768.jpg] For nearly two months, Jakob Chychrun has been a hot topic [https://thehockeynews.com/news/will-the-arizona-coyotes-shop-jakob-chychrun] for media trade chatter. Many believe the Arizona Coyotes could move the 23-year-old defenseman by the March 21 trade deadline. However, Coyotes GMr Bill Armstrong doesn't seem in any hurry to ship him out. It's not due to lack of interest if the rumor mill [https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-jakob-chychrun-rumor-mill-grinds-on] is to be believed. Since mid-January, Chychrun has been linked [https://thehockeynews.com/news/arizona-coyotes-are-getting-offers-for-jakob-chychrun]to the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs. Earlier this week. Montreal Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy wondered [https://montrealhockeynow.com/2022/02/07/nhl-trade-talk-if-they-can-should-the-canadiens-go-after-chychrun/] if the woeful Canadiens could make a pitch. Chychrun has considerable value as a big-minute, puck-moving defenseman with an affordable contract through 2024-25. While his production has sagged this season on the talent-depleted Coyotes, he led all defensemen last season with 18 goals in 56 games. Factor in the absence of a no-trade clause until 2023-24 and it's understandable why so many clubs appear interested in him. Armstrong's high asking price, however, is a stumbling block on the path to a trade. He reportedly seeks a first-round pick, a top prospect and a good young NHL player in return. Not many contenders will bite on that in the midst of the postseason chase, especially those with limited salary-cap space. Non-playoffs clubs, meanwhile, could prefer waiting to see what assets they get from players they intend to move by the deadline before searching for talent carrying long-term deals. That doesn't mean someone won't meet Armstrong's asking price before March 21. However, that seems like the type of move usually reserved for the offseason when clubs have more cap room and a greater willingness to make major deals.
