Chychrun finished 10th in Norris Trophy voting last campaign after leading all NHL defensemen with 18 goals. He's in the midst of a down season with 16 points in 44 games. However, his underlying numbers over a three-year sample size remain stellar:
Evolving-Hockey.com
The Coyotes are reportedly asking for a return similar to what the Buffalo Sabres received for Jack Eichel earlier this season. The Sabres traded Eichel and a 2023 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round selection, and a conditional 2023 second-round pick.
Chychrun, 23, is signed for three more seasons at a $4.6-million cap hit, per CapFriendly. Arizona selected him 16th overall at the 2016 NHL Draft.
We have 11 games scheduled for Tuesday night's slate, which means there is no shortage of player props to comb through.
Let's take a closer look at three of my favorites.
Joel Eriksson Ek over 2.5 shots (-139)
Joel Eriksson Ek has been one of the league's more efficient shot generators on home soil. He's averaged 3.4 shots per game in Minnesota this season while going over the number (2.5) in 65% of his games, including nine of the last 12.
He should be able to stay hot Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. They give up a lot of shots, especially to the center position. Only the Columbus Blue Jackets have allowed more shots - or shots per game - to centers than the Rangers.
Look for Eriksson Ek to hit three shots for the 10th time in 13 games.
Mikko Rantanen over 3.5 shots (+105)
Mikko Rantanen is shooting the lights out. He has amassed 63 shot attempts over the last 10 games, which ties him with Kirill Kaprizov for 17th in the NHL over that span.
The uptick in shot attempts has started to lead to success with his totals: Rantanen picked up 15 shots over the last three games while registering at least four in each contest.
He now finds himself in an advantageous matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Only three teams have conceded more shots per game to right wingers this season while no team has allowed more points to the position.
With Rantanen sizzling hot, he should be able to continue his success.
Thomas Chabot over 2.5 shots (-125)
Thomas Chabot is one of my favorite defenders to back for shots. He is such a willing shooter, and he has such a heavy workload that he's in play on a nightly basis regardless of opponent.
Chabot generated 35 shots on goal while attempting 58 over his last 10 games. He went over his shot total (2.5) eight times over the last nine contests.
I expect Chabot to make it nine in 10 in this sneaky-good spot against the St. Louis Blues. While they are a good defensive team, they give up a lot of volume to opposing defenders. Only four sides have allowed more shots to defensemen on a per-game basis.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
Vrana has missed the entire campaign to date after undergoing shoulder surgery in late September. He was given a four-month recovery timeline.
The Red Wings acquired Vrana from the Washington Capitals at last season's trade deadline. He made an immediate impact with 11 points in 11 games to close out the 2020-21 campaign.
Vrana inked a three-year, $15.75-million extension with Detroit in the offseason.
The 26-year-old was drafted 13th overall in 2014. He's notched 168 points in 295 career contests and won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
The Seattle Kraken signed leading scorer Jared McCann to a five-year contract extension worth $5 million per season, the team announced Tuesday.
"I'm very excited to be here," McCann said. "I believe in this city and I believe in this organization."
McCann was scheduled to hit restricted free agency at season's end. Seattle chose him in the expansion draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who had acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins days prior.
The Vancouver Canucks drafted McCann 24th overall in 2014. He played one season there before he was traded to the Florida Panthers.
He appears to have found his best fit yet in Seattle, leading the league's 32nd franchise with 21 goals and remaining on pace for a career-high 49 points.
Jared McCann has always had strong underlying numbers and he’s an top level finisher. #SeaKraken lock him up for five more years. pic.twitter.com/8q5uldd6Ka
The New Jersey Devils and goals go together like chicken wings and a football Sunday. At least six goals have been scored in eight of their last 10 games and 12 of their last 15.
Their offense has taken off lately, especially since Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt returned to health. Only six teams have scored more goals over the last 15 games.
Despite pretty good suppression numbers at the other end of the ice, the Devils can't keep the puck out of their net.
Goaltending is the reason for that. New Jersey has used six different netminders this season, and every single one has conceded more goals than expected. Put another way, nobody's performing at even an average level based on the difficulty of workload.
I have a hard time believing that will change against a lethal Colorado Avalanche team that ranks *checks notes* second in goals per game this season. Colorado is prone to getting into track meets - even against low-event opponents like the New York Islanders - so there's definitely potential for fireworks in this game.
Less than two weeks ago, the Nashville Predators hosted the Dallas Stars. The Predators closed as -160 favorites and rewarded their backers with a win.
Fast-forward and the Predators - once again rested and at home - are only -120 favorites.
I realize the Stars have won four consecutive games. They've beaten some strong teams in that span, too.
But it's not like they dominated or added a high-end player to the mix to explain such a large swing in the odds.
Over the last four games, the Stars controlled just 44% of the shot attempts and 49% of the expected goals at five-on-five. They weren't exactly skating teams into the ground.
Not to mention, dark-horse Norris Trophy candidate Miro Heiskanen is banged up, and his status is up in the air for this game.
I see value on the Predators even if Heiskanen is healthy enough to play. If he isn't? This line would be out of whack.
Bet: Predators (-120)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and there's nothing more fun this time of year than arguing over hypothetical swaps.
Here's how this exercise went down: Each of theScore's five NHL news editors (Kayla Douglas, Josh Gold-Smith, Brandon Maron, Sean O'Leary, and myself) submitted one trade to have the other four editors vote on which team they think would say no. "Both" and "good deal" were options, too.
Remember, these deals are hypothetical. Editors were encouraged to think outside the box.
Below, I dive into the trades and analyze which aspects make sense and which don't.
Leafs win Chychrun sweepstakes, reunite with Kessel
Why it could work: General managers Kyle Dubas and Bill Armstrong clearly have a working relationship after making twotrades with each other in recent weeks. Toronto's need for a top-four defenseman is no secret. And Chychrun, who's just 23 years old, fits into both the team's timeline and cap structure (his contract includes three more years at $4.6 million per season).
There have been rumors the Coyotes are seeking a Jack Eichel-type package for Chychrun. This deal fits that structure, but the value might be a bit short. Holl and Kerfoot have an additional year of term on their contracts and could be flipped for more futures at next year's deadline, while Robertson is a promising prospect.
Why it might not: As far as narratives go, Kessel returning to Toronto would be highly entertaining. However, his fit in the team's lineup is suspect. He's a significant downgrade defensively from Kerfoot, and it remains to be seen whether he can still be effective in a top-six role on a team with Cup aspirations. The Leafs would likely be willing to take that chance if it meant getting Chychrun, but they might prefer a deal that doesn't involve Kessel.
From Arizona's perspective, no guaranteed building blocks are coming back. Robertson has potential, but he hasn't proven himself as an NHLer. His AHL numbers are good but don't jump off the page. The draft pick could be late in the first round, too. If this is the best offer the Coyotes get for Chychrun, they'd be smart to keep him and hope for something better this offseason.
Why it could work: As long as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are still humming, Penguins GM Ron Hextall needs to do everything in his power to try to bring Pittsburgh another Stanley Cup. The team's biggest need is a winger for Malkin, and Miller is an ideal fit - especially since he's signed through 2023 with a bargain $5.25-million cap hit. Kapanen has struggled this year (and makes the deal work cap-wise), and Joseph is just depth for Pittsburgh at this point.
Kapanen has believers in Vancouver. While with the Penguins front office, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin drafted Kapanen in 2014, then re-acquired him from the Leafs in 2020. Kapanen's father, Sami, played under Rutherford with the Carolina Hurricanes. Rutherford also acquired Joseph, a 2017 first-round defenseman, from the Coyotes during his time in Pittsburgh.
Why it might not: A first-round pick, a young roster player, and a prospect would usually fetch a player with an extra year of term. However, it's possible the Canucks would want much more, even with the fourth-rounder sprinkled in.
Miller has blossomed into a star point-per-game player with Vancouver, capable of playing center and wing effectively. If the Canucks give him up - which isn't a guarantee considering the playoffs are still a possibility - they might want someone with more upside than Kapanen and Joseph coming back.
Why it could work: The possibility of Columbus dealing Laine is fascinating, even though Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen recently shut down those rumors. The 23-year-old sniper is a pending RFA. He could simply accept his $7.5-million qualifying offer again this summer before becoming a UFA in 2023.
It's no secret the Jackets have struggled to keep star players. And the ones they've held on to, they had to pay an additional Columbus tax (see Werenski, Zach). If the Jackets can't get Laine to agree to an extension this summer, they may have to trade him. Letting him walk for free isn't an option.
The Rangers, meanwhile, could use an additional offensive threat, and Laine fits into their timeline.
Why it might not: The Blue Jackets gave up Pierre-Luc Dubois to get Laine, so they may want more of a sure thing if they're going to trade the Finn. Kravtsov and Lundkvist (both 2018 first-rounders) have upside, but neither has proven themselves as NHLers yet. If Kekalainen ships Laine to New York, he'd be wise to ask for a package including Alexis Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko.
The value makes sense for the Rangers, and Laine would help them this season. However, how he fits into their long-term plans is foggy. Extensions for Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox are kicking in next season. New York has already invested ample money and draft resources on the wing with Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Lafreniere, and Kakko. If the Rangers make a big swing for a forward, a center makes more sense, especially since Ryan Strome is a pending UFA.
Why it could work: The Avs are Stanley Cup favorites, so it only makes sense for them to go all-in. This is their year to be aggressive, too. Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, and Darcy Kuemper are pending UFAs, and Nathan MacKinnon's bargain deal expires in 2023. It shouldn't matter that Hertl is just a rental.
Hertl would be a fantastic addition. He could play wing on the second line with Kadri or center his own third line to make Colorado even deeper.
The Sharks reportedly tried negotiating an extension with Hertl and aren't looking to trade him. However, San Jose might not have a choice if it can't get a deal done before the deadline. Plus, there's always a chance the Sharks could lure him back in free agency after moving him. That'd be a win-win.
Why it might not: Jost has yet to live up to the billing of a top-10 pick back in 2016, but he's still a valuable member of Colorado's bottom six. The Avs might prefer to part with a prospect rather than somebody from the active roster. If Jost is a must-have part of the package, perhaps they'd get the Sharks to include an additional depth forward in the deal with minimal long-term value, like Andrew Cogliano or Matt Nieto.
Barron, a 2020 first-rounder, along with Jost, makes this a steep price for a rental. The Avs might want someone with an extra year of term, like J.T. Miller, if they're giving up this package. Or, perhaps they'd prefer a rental with slightly less value, such as Claude Giroux.
Why it could work: The group is split on this deal, which tends to mean it's fair. The Capitals are in the same spot as the Penguins. As long as their aging core is still performing at a high level, they have to go all-in - despite GM Brian MacLellan's recent comments.
Goaltending has been Washington's weakness this season, so adding a proven netminder in Fleury, albeit a rental, is smart. Fleury's contract contains a 10-team no-trade list, so he'll have a significant say in where he goes. That could limit his market and prove to be the reason the rebuilding Blackhawks don't get a guaranteed first-rounder out of this.
Despite his relative struggles, Samsonov is just 25. Arvid Soderblom is Chicago's only goalie under team control for next year (Kevin Lankinen and Collin Delia are also pending UFAs), so the 2015 first-rounder fills a significant need moving forward.
Why it might not: The Blackhawks might want to get a guaranteed first-rounder in exchange for Fleury since he's by far the best goaltender available, and there are other contenders with a need between the pipes, such as the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Maple Leafs. Chicago also probably has no use for Irwin, a 34-year-old depth D-man on an expiring contract.
The Caps might not be ready to give up on Samsonov either. Goaltenders tend to reach their peak later in their careers, and Washington has already invested so many years developing the Russian netminder.
If any suitors are interested in acquiring P.K. Subban before this month's trade deadline, it appears the New Jersey Devils are willing to listen.
"I sat down with P.K. yesterday, and we talked about uncertainty, and the deadline, and that we're not at a spot where we're looking to extend him at this point," general manager Tom Fitzgerald told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
Fitzgerald added: "He's done a lot for community here and the organization. But I told him, 'On the last day, somebody may lose a right-shot D and may call me, and if the move makes sense for the New Jersey Devils and makes sense for you to potentially have a chance to win, I have to do what's best for the organization.'"
Subban is currently playing out the final months of the monster eight-year, $72-million contract he signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2014. In any potential deal, the Devils will likely need to retain a portion of Subban's $9-million cap hit.
New Jersey acquired the 32-year-old from the Nashville Predators before the 2019-20 campaign. He's notched 55 points in 165 games with the Devils and is averaging the lowest average ice time of his career this season at 19:11 per contest.
Subban can still drive play at even strength, but he no longer moves the needle defensively or on the power play. Here's his on-ice impact this season according to Evolving-Hockey's Goals Above Replacement metric:
Subban was among the league's top defensemen during his prime. From 2013-18, he won the Norris Trophy once and was a finalist two other times while earning three All-Star nominations. Subban also recorded 301 points in 422 games over that span.
There's a new front-runner for the Hart Trophy. For the first time this season, Connor McDavid has been overtaken as the favorite for MVP at Barstool Sportsbook.
McDavid is tied with Leon Draisaitl for the league lead in points. So how did Matthews catch him? A few reasons stand out.
McDavid has hit a bit of a rut, piling up just 26 points over his last 22 games. While those are still good numbers, they aren't great, as he's tied with the likes of Sam Reinhart and Dylan Larkin for 22nd during that span.
His team hasn't enjoyed much success, either. The Oilers are tied with the Blue Jackets and Predators in points over that period and are still trying to dig out from the hole they fell into under Dave Tippett.
Meanwhile, Matthews has taken his game up several notches. He has amassed 36 points over the last 23 games and now finds himself leading the NHL in goals.
He remains nine points behind McDavid but has played three fewer games. Matthews' nine more goals, much stronger defensive metrics, and 10 more points in the team standings make up for the gap.
While oddsmakers are correct in moving Matthews ahead of McDavid, the same can be said of Shesterkin.
Shesterkin has quietly put together one of the most remarkable goaltending seasons of all time. He owns an absurd .942 save percentage and leads the league in Goals Saved Above Expectation. Put simply, Shesterkin is reason No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 why the Rangers are within striking distance of winning a competitive Metropolitan Division.
Although Shesterkin plays in fewer games than top skaters like Matthews, he definitely belongs in the same conversation in terms of value provided.
McDavid is in tough to catch either of these players. To have any chance, he needs to separate himself from the pack in terms of point production, and the Oilers need to claim home ice for at least the first round of the playoffs. If he doesn't gain separation individually, and the team isn't garnering a ton of success, there is nothing to pull him away from the pack.
Beyond the big three, Draisaitl probably stands the best chance to make a late run at the award. He's right there with McDavid in terms of points, and he's on Matthews' tail in terms of goals. Draisaitl can make a solid case if he leads the league in both categories and the Oilers surge up the standings.
Outside of that, I'm not sure anybody else has a real shot. Jonathan Huberdeau's point total is great, but he plays on arguably the deepest offensive team in the league. He also benefits greatly from cushy usage on home ice, primarily playing opposing teams' middle-six forwards.
Alex Ovechkin is eighth in scoring, and the Capitals are sliding down the standings. Meanwhile, Kirill Kaprizov plays for a team that has dropped eight of the last 10.
In terms of the longer shots, Johnny Gaudreau (fourth in scoring, plays for a likely division winner) is where the value lies.
Realistically speaking, the race is probably between Matthews and Shesterkin.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
