Barn Burner: Is Jakob Chychrun a good replacement if Noah Hanifin is moved at the deadline? (featuring Jamie McLennan)
1 month ago
On Wednesday’s episode of Barn Burner, Boomer, Pinder, and Rhett had their pal Jamie McLennan on the show as we now sit just two days away from the NHL Trade Deadline.
With Noah Hanifin looking like his days with the Calgary Flames are dwindling, the fellas were curious about the possibility of acquiring a defenceman to replace Hanifin in the top four if they still want to remain competitive during their current push for the playoffs. As an analyst for the Ottawa Senators, McLennan was asked if he sees a fit in Jakob Chychrun – also on the trade block – as a potential fit for the Flames if they do decide that the playoffs aren’t out of reach quite yet.
“Absolutely. He’s a guy who can play twenty three minutes, big shot, can work on a powerplay in a one timer situation. He’s a monster, he’s built like a greek god… Defensively, he needs a stable guy to play with because his reads… There’s been a few time with Chychrun where his reads are off. He’s got this big long stick and he’s strong on pucks but you just wish he had a little bit shorter fuse… He’s 25 years old keep in mind. If you could get him, you move Hanifin out and spin him in he might be a fit because he certainly can play top pairing or top four minutes easily.”
Chychrun is in his second year with the Senators after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes. His nine goals and twenty two assists this season leads Ottawa’s blueliners in both categories. While his $4.6 million cap hit may be under market value currently, he is due for an expensive raise when his contract expires at the end of next season. Pinder dove into how the Flames should be weary of picking up a short-term contract given the current trajectory of the team.
“You already have Kuzmenko and Sharangovich in their walk years next year do you really want just one year of Chychrun in the one year where it’s probably best to be in the bottom ten so that pick doesn’t go to Montreal for Monahan and it’s Florida’s instead. I don’t know that Chychrun lines up. Do you like the player? Yeah. Would he fit here? Sure. The one year you’re getting him is probably the one year you would want him the least in a way.”
Losing Noah Hanifin would create a massive hole on defense if a deal does get done before Friday as the team would have lost both members of its second line within a week. Rhett provided some insight that the addition of a solid replacement could provide the right message to the team that there is still belief in the group.
“It’s a curiosity thing… If they were trying to make the playoffs, they are that close, they were playing well and it would send a message to the team. We moved Hanifin but we brought back a guy that can play and help our powerplay. He’s twenty five and maybe we can resign him if it’s a really good fit.”
Do you see Jakob Chychrun as a fit for the Flames? Let us know in the comments!
Check out Wednesday’s episode in full here:
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Get ready for the Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline Show, coming to you on March 8th LIVE from 11 AM to 3 PM EST!! Join Tyler Yaremchuk, Frank Seravalli and friends for 4 hours of non-stop action as they dive deep into the heart of the trade deadline. They will be breaking down every trade, discussing the impact on teams, predicting the playoff picture, and giving you the inside scoop on all the wheeling and dealing happening around the league. Tune in live on March 8th from 11 AM to 3 PM EST for the The Daily Faceoff Live Trade Deadline special you won’t want to miss!
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