NHL trade deadline: Coyotes finally trade Jakob Chychrun in deal with Senators

The Ottawa Senators acquired Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick originally belonging to the Washington Capitals, and a 2026 second-round pick.

Ottawa’s 2023 first-round pick is top-five protected, so the Senators won’t lose out on Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson if things go awry. If the 2023 first-round pick doesn’t convert this year, it will turn into an unprotected 2024 first-round selection for the Coyotes. It’s worth noting that the top of the 2023 draft projects to be significantly better than the 2024 cohort. Arizona did not retain any of Chychrun’s salary in the deal.

Chychrun has been on the trade block for the duration of the 2022-23 season. The 24-year-old boasts a cannon of a shot, can play either side of the ice and is very mobile with a propensity to enter the rush. He has recorded seven goals and 28 points in 36 games for the Coyotes this season. Arizona has controlled 48 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5 when Chychrun is on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick, which won’t blow anyone away, but it's more impressive when you consider he’s played on a moribund Coyotes team that is waiting for the draft lottery.

Chychrun is a star defenseman who celebrates his 25th birthday later this month. If the acquisition cost seems steep, think nothing of it. Players of Chychrun’s caliber are rarely made available, especially when you consider he’s a left-shot defenseman who is still entering his prime, with two years left of team control at a very affordable $4.6 million per.