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Jakob Chychrun's trade is not done yet, according to recent reports.
On Saturday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli tweeted that the Los Angeles Kings were interested in landing the Arizona Coyotes' top defenseman deadline prospect and that a deal could be nearing completion a day later.
In a strange turn of events on Sunday afternoon, multiple sources reported that Jakob Chychrun would find a new home in Los Angeles and that Kings’ first-round pick Brandt Clarke would move the other way to the Coyotes. The trade was first reported by former NHL player Nick Kypreos, who tweeted:
However, later in the day, the plot thickened. After initially reporting that Chychrun would be dealt to the Kings for Brandt Clarke, along with multiple first-round picks, multiple sources have now said that the Kings organization informed Clarke that he would not be traded for the Coyotes defender.
News about the hold-up in trade talks between the two teams was reported by The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta and The Athletic's Scott Wheeler on Sunday. Check out their tweets below:
Pagnotta also had an update from Clarke's agent:
Jakob Chychrun trade talks heat up as reporters stay conflicted on the NHL trade
Assuming both beat reporters are correct, a Kings-Coyotes deal without Brandt Clarke being a part of the Chychrun trade is still possible. One of the reasons for the last-minute changes could be the Coyotes’ insistence on more draft capital than prospect value, which could cause Brandt Clarke to not be on the table.
One aspect of a potential trade that may happen is the addition of former second-overall pick Quinton Byfield in a deal for Jakob Chychrun. If the Coyotes request more instant talent rather than draft capital or prospects, Byfield could be on the move for the Kings.
Byfield has underperformed for Los Angeles since being selected and making his NHL debut three seasons ago. Byfield played 40 games last season for the Kings and only had five goals and five assists. So far this season, in 25 games, Byfield has only put the puck in the net twice. A change of scenery in Arizona could benefit both the team and the player.
The Kings are not the only team involved in the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes. The Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers have all been rumored to be all in on the big burly defenseman.
As late as a week ago, the Bruins were the front-runners to make the significant addition to their deadline. If the Kings' deal for Chychrun does not go through, Boston could pop up again. The Avalanche were rumored to be interested in Chychrun as late as Saturday night and could have forced the Kings' hand to get a deal done sooner rather than later.
For Jakob Chychrun, only time will tell how soon and with whom the Coyotes will complete the trade, but it will certainly be interesting.
