GM Steve Staios said today, "There's nothing that we're actively doing on Jakob Chychrun." But here are three trade possibilities that might get Staios thinking.

Jakob Chychrun’s name has been at the centre of trade rumours for the past couple of weeks as the Senators continue to slide down the standings in another lost season. 

Chychrun was acquired from Arizona last season for what turned out to be Ottawa's 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft (Russian winger Daniil But), along with two second-round picks.

Chychrun has one more full season left on his deal with a cap hit of $4.6 million, which makes him very attractive for prospective buyers. He's still attractive to the Senators, of course, but his UFA payday is coming in 2025. Can the Sens realistically employ three defenceman, all in the $8 million range, who all shoot left and play the same kind of game?

GM Steve Staios was asked by the media today if there's been interest this week from other teams.

"We're getting a lot of interest in all of our players, really," Staios said. "I mean, we have good players. At this time of the year, you feel for the players because their names are out there. But there's nothing that we're actively doing on Jakob Chychrun. But I've said this before. If I was on the other end of the line, I'd be certainly inquiring about a player of that calibre."

Of course, it's hard to take anything that's said this time of year at face value. It's all one big poker game. Even if a GM wants to move a player, he isn't going to tip his hand and show that to people. That's not how you drive up value.

So here are three mock trade packages for Jakob Chychrun.

1. Philadelphia Flyers

Proposed trade: Chychrun to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2025 first round pick (via Colorado) and defenceman Jamie Drysdale.

The Flyers add a high-quality defenceman to make a push for the playoffs this year and have him as part of the team next year on a very team friendly deal at $4.6 million a year. 

The Senators get Drysdale, the right shot defenceman they lack, and with the first rounder, they call it even after trading away a 12th overall pick last year to acquire Chychrun.

2. Winnipeg Jets

Proposed trade: Chychrun to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2025 first round pick (top 10 protected), along with forwards Chaz Lucius and Rasmus Kupari.

The Jets add a top-four defenceman to a core that is light in elite offensive talent outside of Josh Morrisey and get Chychrun for two playoff runs in which the Jets hope to be contenders. 

Meanwhile, the Senators add another first round pick and also add 2021 first rounder Chaz Lucius. Lucius has been as injury prone and he is skilled which makes him a solid buy low candidate. They also bring in a depth forward with some upside in Rasmus Kupari, who probably won't live up to his 2018 first rounder status. In essence, the Senators gain two first round picks while the Jets get a player for their Cup push this year and next.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Proposed trade: Chychrun to Tampa for wingers Isaac Howard, Mitchell Chaffee and a 2026 second round pick.

The Tampa Lightning are still in win-now mode, once again in position to make a deep playoff run. With Mikhail Sergachev out for the season after an unfortunate leg-injury, the Lightning will want to add someone like Chychrun as a replacement. The Lightning get a cost-controlled defenceman and try to keep the contention window open for a little longer.

For the Senators, they recoup Tampa’s best prospect in winger Isaac Howard, a 2022 first round pick and a stand out at Michigan State and Team USA. Howard had 9 points in 7 games at the World Juniors this year and he's a point per game guy with the Spartans. 

Meanwhile, the Sens also pick up a second round pick in 2026, which they don't have right now because they traded it away to acquire Chychrun last season. 

Staios may not be actively shopping Chychrun, but any of those offers would at least give him pause for thought.