Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun faces setback, still out week-to-week

One of the NHL’s biggest trade markets will need to wait a bit longer before getting back onto the ice.

According to Arizona Republic reporter Jenna Ortiz, Jakob Chychrun is still week-to-week after a setback in his recovery from a wrist injury.

Chychrun, 24, has yet to play this season, adding to an extensive injury list for the young defenseman. During his seven-year NHL career, Chychrun has had ankle surgery, shoulder ligament surgery, a concussion, two wrist surgeries and surgeries on both knees.

So, if Chychrun is moved, there’s an obvious risk. And despite being involved heavily in rumors for a while now, teams must recognize that. But the reward can be significant, too.

In his last full NHL season in 2020-21, Chychrun had 18 goals and 41 points in 56 games for a Coyotes team with severe scoring concerns. He has hit double digits twice in goals and was on pace to do that again before an injury in March cut his season short.

Chychrun has a cap-friendly deal of $4.6 million until 2025, but his apparent value, when healthy, is too much for the Coyotes to ignore trade partners. But for now, it’s hard to make a move when he’s still on the shelf.

With Chychrun out, the Coyotes have been going of a top pair of Janis Moser and Juuso Valimaki, who the team claimed on waivers earlier this month. The Coyotes currently sit last in the Central Division with a 2-4-0 record and will be a key fixture in the fight for Connor Bedard and the first overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft. The Coyotes will host the first NHL game at Mullett Arena on Friday with a 7:30 PM MT start against Winnipeg. They’ll play four games at home before heading back on the road, where they spent the first six games of the campaign.