Arizona Coyotes Trade For 16th Pick, Select Jakob Chychrun
The Arizona Coyotes absorbed Pavel Datsyuk’s contract to move up from 20th to 16th overall in order to draft Sarnia Sting defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
Whether you love him or hate him, Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka was making moves on Friday night at the 2016 NHL Draft.
After shocking the analysts by going off the board for forward Clayton Keller at 7th overall, the new GM made another big move in a bid to draft Jakob Chychrun.
The cost? The Arizona Coyotes had to absorb Pavel Datsyuk‘s contract from the Detroit Red Wings, while also parting with a 2nd round pick (53rd overall).
They did shed Joe Vitale’s contract, however.
It wasn’t a surprise that the Red Wings and Coyotes were concocting some form of deal involving Datsyuk’s dead contract. They needed it moved in order to pursue Steven Stamkos in free agency.
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There were still those who took issue with the move and the price that was paid, specifically the second rounder that was thrown in the deal. It’s worth noting that Chayka and the Yotes considered selecting Chychrun as early as 7th despite his falling draft stock.
James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail took issue with the deal noting that it was one of the league’s most experienced general manager’s facing off against one of the least.
Considering the fact that the Arizona Coyotes are paying exactly zero dollars out on Datsyuk’s contract – it’s simply a cap hit and one that for the moment helps the Yotes reach the cap floor – it’s hard for me to critique it too harshly. I assume that Jakob Chychrun’s career will exceed whoever is drafted at 53rd overall, and ultimately he was the man that Chayka and Head Coach Dave Tippett wanted to select.
As for Chychrun, there is a lot to like about the young defender.
He’s already got the size to be an NHL defenseman at 6’2, 198 pounds. A strong skater, the young D-man is also willing and able to throw his weight around.
Part of his fall on the draft boards has related to his offensive skills, however Chychrun did finish with 11 goals and 38 assists in 2015-16. There are some questions surrounding his instincts on that end, however he does have a well developed ability to move the puck cleanly out of the defensive zone.
Chychrun was one of three defensive targets that many analysts and pundits suspected the Arizona Coyotes might pursue.
Olli Juolevi and Mikhail Sergachyov went off the board before him, but General Manager John Chayka was willing to move up to secure the guy he wanted.
Next: 2016 Coyotes Draft Prospects: Jakob Chychrun
Jakob Chychrun is excited about his new home as well.
“I honestly couldn’t be happier. Arizona was a team I really wanted to go to. Growing up in Boca Raton, Florida, it’s awesome to be going to another southern market.”