Jakob Chychrun, the talented defenseman for the Ottawa Senators, recently opened up about the ongoing trade rumors surrounding him.
Despite surviving the recent NHL trade deadline without being moved, Chychrun knows his name will continue to be mentioned in potential deals.
Chychrun’s Frustration
In an interview with The Athletic’s Ian Mendes, the 25-year-old acknowledged the reality of his situation. “The trade deadline may be over, but people are already speculating about what could happen this summer,” Chychrun said. “With only one year left on my contract, the chatter isn’t going away anytime soon.”
In January, Chychrun called the constant trade rumors “ridiculous.” However, as the Senators struggled and fell further out of playoff contention, the speculation persisted right up until the deadline passed.
Disappointing Season
The young defenseman, acquired by Ottawa from the Arizona Coyotes before the 2023 deadline, expressed his frustration. “I’ve done everything I can on the ice to help this team succeed. As a professional, I have to try not to let the trade talk affect me, but it’s easier said than done sometimes,” he admitted.
When Chychrun arrived in Canada’s capital city, hopes were high that he could help the rebuilding Senators become a legitimate playoff contender. Unfortunately, the team currently sits near the bottom of the league standings in 28th place.
If we were winning more games and in a better position, I don’t think my name would be coming up so much,” Chychrun said. “We all had such high expectations for this group, and falling short has been a bitter pill to swallow.”
Chychrun’s Value
- Notched 36 points in 74 games since joining Senators
- Strong two-way play
- Exhibits leadership qualities
- Under contract through 2024-25 season at reasonable $4.6M cap hit
- Has some control with 10-team no-trade clause
As the offseason approaches, Jakob Chychrun’s name will likely continue to surface in trade rumors and speculation.
For now, the skilled defenseman is focusing on finishing the season strong and helping the young Senators build towards a brighter future, whether he’s a part of it long-term or not.
