The Ottawa Senators acquired Jacob Chychran from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick originally held by the Washington Capitals, and a 2026 second-round pick.
Ottawa’s 2023 first-round pick is protected by the top five, so the Senators won’t lose to Connor Bedard, Adam Fatilli, or Leo Karlsson if things go wrong. If the 2023 first round pick is not converted this year, it will become an unprotected 2024 first round pick for the Coyotes. It is worth noting that the top projects of 2023 will be significantly better than the 2024 cohort. Arizona did not keep Chichran’s salary in the deal.
Chichran was on the trade throughout the 2022-23 season. The 24-year-old boasts a cannon shot, can play on either side of the court and is very agile, prone to sprinting. This season, he has scored seven goals and 28 points in 36 games for the Coyotes. Arizona controlled 48 percent of expected goals in 5-on-5 matches when Chichran is on the ice, according to a Natural Stat Trick that won’t blow anyone away, but that’s more impressive when you consider he was playing for a dying Coyotes team waiting for the lottery draft.
Chichrun is a star guard who turns 25 at the end of this month. If the acquisition cost seems high, don’t think about it. Players of Chichran’s caliber are rarely available, especially when you consider that he is a left back who is still entering his prime with two years left in the team’s control for a very affordable $4.6 million each.
Ottawa is getting an up-and-coming talent that fits the timeline of her rising stars. Chichran joins the core of Tim Statzle, Brady Tkachuk, Alex DeBrinkat, Drake Baterson, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson – an up-and-coming group that should grow together and could eventually challenge the forces at the head of the Atlantic Division as early as next year.
After a disappointing start to the 2022-2023 campaign following an impressive offseason, the Senators have recently moved up the Eastern Conference standings, currently five points behind the final wild card spot. The Senators locker room was hoping for reinforcements by the deadline, and the players’ wish came true.
“I sincerely believe that we have earned the right to [GM] Pierre Dorion will add a player by the deadline,” Senators forward Deryck Brassard. told reporters February 27.
Chichran has spent his entire career with the Coyotes since being selected 16th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. This trade ends a chapter in his career that he would like to get away from, having been out of action since February 10 for trade-related reasons.
This is a big victory for the senators. The acquisition cost was relatively low and they get a player that fits their schedule. Meanwhile, the Coyotes will be praying for the fall of the Senators, hoping they can’t get past the Atlantic Division gauntlet, with the Bruins, Maple Leafs and Lightning positioned as contenders for the foreseeable future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
