Ben Lepper ’25

Chief Sports Editor

Jakob Chychrun

Chychrun has been at the forefront of trade rumors for months now. He was supposed to get dealt last year, but nothing ever came to fruition. Now, finally, it seems like the talented D-man is going to be freed from the desert, as he’s been out of the lineup since February 11th. Chychrun has been one of Arizona’s only bright spots in recent memory, and there is no doubt that the Coyotes will get a nice haul of draft picks and prospects in return for his services. Minnesota, Boston, Detroit, and Columbus have all been mentioned as potential landing spots for the 24 year old. We only know one thing for certain: whoever gets him is going to have to pay up.

Timo Meier / Erik Karlsson

With San Jose well out of the playoff picture, nobody will be surprised if they move two of their best players at the deadline. Meier will be a free agent at the end of this season, and the 26 year old winger has been having a good season on one of the league’s worst teams, with 31 goals and 52 points at press time. Whichever team bites on him will then have a decision to make: use him as a rental for the playoffs, or extend him long-term? With two of the hottest forwards on the block in Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly having been traded already, someone is certainly going to pounce on Meier.

Karlsson is a different story. The 32 year old defenseman has revived his career after a couple of down years. At this moment, he’s third in the league in assists with 56 and sixth in points. But, even though he’s having a great year, he’s going to be hard to trade — his annual cap hit is north of 11 million, and that contract will keep going until 2027. Regardless, it’s no secret that the Edmonton Oilers are interested in his services. A deal may be hard to reach, but the Oilers are in win-now mode, and will do anything to get McDavid a Stanley Cup.

Vladislav Gavrikov

Just like Chychrun, Gavrikov hasn’t suited up for the Blue Jackets in days with an expectation that he will be moved. The imposing 27 year old defenseman plays 22 minutes a night and should fit well on any contender in need of help on the left side. He’s repeatedly been linked to the league’s best team: my Boston Bruins. They added a great defenseman in Hampus Lindholm at the deadline last season, and expectations are they’ll do it again with Gavrikov. But, anything can happen.

Patrick Kane / Jonathan Toews / Max Domi

The Chicago Blackhawks Fire Sale is about to kick off. This team is putrid, and all signs are pointing to everything of value being shipped off to start a long-needed rebuild. They, along with a few other bottom-feeders, are in play for the first overall pick in the draft, which will undoubtedly be used on future superstar Connor Bedard. You can’t get Bedard if you win games. While Kane and Toews have been cornerstones of this franchise for years now, it’s looking like high time for them to be sold for a few draft picks. Meanwhile, Domi is on pace to be moved at the deadline for the second straight year. All three players should help any real contender make a last minute push for the Cup.

Brock Boeser / Luke Schenn

Vancouver is a mess. Nothing has gone right for them this season; from the underperformance of recently-extended J.T. Miller to the controversy surrounding former Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, they’ve been experiencing headache after headache. The league-wide expectation is a full-on rebuild for the Canucks, which started with Bo Horvat’s trade to the Islanders. Boeser and Schenn will likely be the next two out the door. While neither player is a game-changing talent, they should provide a boost to whichever team acquires them.