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Jakob Chychrun has been scratched for “trade reasons” and the Leafs AREN’T involved

Photo credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

By Jon Steitzer

Feb 11, 2023, 20:58 EST

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Nothing like some midgame trade talk to pass the time while watching Columbus Blue Jackets hockey. Of course it would be more fun if the Leafs were winning, but hopefully the third period will bring better times. Anyways, let’s focus on the Chychrun trade excitement that seemed like it could be connected to the Leafs right up until Jeff Marek said the Leafs said it’s not them during the second intermission 32 Thoughts segment.

It all started with the Coyotes themselves declaring that Jakob Chychrun wouldn’t be playing and Arizona beat reporter Craig Morgan putting a timeframe on a deal being completed as before Monday night’s game against Nashville…

Arizona Coyotes PR

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ROSTER UPDATE: Coyotes D Jakob Chychrun is a healthy scratch tonight versus the St. Louis Blues due to trade related reasons. F Liam O'Brien is day to day with an upper body injury. Defensemen Victor Soderstrom & Dysin Mayo have been recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

12:30 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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Coyotes D Jakob Chychrun will be a healthy scratch tonight in St. Louis for what the team is calling trade-related reasons. I don't think a trade is imminent, but it's possible before Monday's game in Nashville with the trade deadline nearing. More here: bit.ly/40RbAB2

12:30 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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First off, congratulations to Arizona for finally showing the NHL how to do trade deadlines the right way. Very thoughtful to give us a window to work with here.

Of course, that’s where it started getting crazy as the Leafs, as mentioned yesterday by Nick Kypreos, are in Chychrun and that was magnified by Bruce Garrioch:

Bruce Garrioch

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Leafs and Oilers are among teams that have stepped up their efforts on Chychrun.

Arizona Coyotes PR

@AZCoyotesPR

12:47 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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Now I can certainly appreciate that people would like to be hearing this from one of the defined NHL insiders, but I will remind everyone that it was Steve Simmons of all people who had the Nick Foligno to Toronto stuff first, and when trades get close the news starts coming from unlikely sources.

Further to that…

Ryan Rishaug

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My sense is the Oilers are not this far down the path on any Chychrun talks. Any sense of urgency happening here doesn’t involve a deal with them.

Arizona Coyotes PR

@AZCoyotesPR

1:19 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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Daniel Nugent-Bowman

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Doesn’t sound like Chychrun is going to the Oilers or the Kings.

Arizona Coyotes PR

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1:21 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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The Oilers definitely sound out and the Kings being out is a bit of a surprise, but is interesting to see as well. That really seems to leave Toronto, Boston, and possibly Calgary as the teams in the mix for Chychrun.

That’s probably why we see Kyle Dubas shuffling with his phone (he could also be listening to his jam.)

Omar

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Kyle is on the phone

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1:12 AM · Feb 12, 2023

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It’s pretty much at this point that the second intermission came around and Jeff Marek stated the Leafs aren’t in on this. That’s taking them at their word and Kyle Dubas certainly does seem like he tries to be a man of his word, so we can now take a step back from the initial excitement and refocus on our fear that Boston could be loading up

There’s not much more we know than that at this point. The Chychrun situation is definitely one to keep an eye on and is certainly the biggest thing happening sports wise in Arizona this weekend.