NHL Trade Rumors: The latest on Capitals going after Jakob Chychrun

The Washington Capitals appear to be selling at the trade deadline and more moves can happen between now and Friday. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his 32 Thoughts podcast, general manager Brian MacLellan sent an email about his pending unrestricted free agents and let all 31 other teams know a lot of his players are for sale.

Friedman specifically said this, “He’s open for business, and teams know he means it, and they’re all calling him.”

GMBM has been busy over the last week. He’s been negotiating with unrestricted free agents including Nick Jensen though teams have been calling to see if he’s available as well.

Friedman added:

“Jensen, there’s quite a few teams with interest. So I think what MacLellan is doing right now — the decision was made on Orlov, and now I think he’s making a decision: is there a deal to be made here or am i moving on?”

Among the potential suitors for Jensen are the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition to that rumor there’s another rumor that the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils are both interested in acquiring Lars Eller.

Back to Jakob Chychrun. Keep an eye on that name. That’s who the Capitals are reportedly pursuing. But it could come at a steep price. Not financially but in the system. Among names that could be dealt include top prospects Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre.

Friedman noted:

“They’re weighing that too. ‘Do we trade most of our assets for one player?’ That’s something they are considering. It’s not only considering Chychrun, it’s considering is that the best [plan].”

Now the only good thing that would come out of a trade like this is that the Caps would get a young player and not an old one in return. Chychrun plays for the Arizona Coyotes and is 24 years old. He has seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points.

I don’t think it would be worth giving up Lapierre and McMichael for one young player when the Caps need all the young players they can get. It could come back to bite them if Chychrun doesn’t end up working out.