NHL Rumors: First Big Trade of 2022 Coming From the Arizona Coyotes

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet the first big trade of 2022 will likely include Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Friedman released his latest episode of 32 Thoughts podcast with Jeff Marek and opened up about how he sees some big moves coming before the Mar.21 trade deadline and Chychrun will be involved.

I think that's probably the first big deal of 2022 is Chychrun

It's almost fitting Chychrun's birthday falls close to the trade deadline but the expectation is a deal will be completed long before the celebrations ensue. The 23-year-old defenseman is signed long-term to a reasonable cap hit of $4.6 million, through the 2024-25 season. 

So far this season he's recorded seven points in 26 games and is coming off a season where he posted huge numbers of 41 points in 56 games. This type of production on a horrible team should not go unnoticed. Chychrun is a pure #1 defender who can play in all types of situations and skates like the wind. 

Friedman went on to mention on the podcast and has done so before that he doesn't feel the Edmonton Oilers are in play for Chychrun. While there's a ton of interest in his services, the Coyotes are holding out for quantity over quality. They want a slew of draft picks and a couple of top prospects coming back the other way. 

There's also a chance someone like Phil Kessel gets packaged in the deal, assuming the team acquiring both players has some cap space or someone on a bad expiring contract they can include to make the money work.

One of the best insiders in all of hockey sees the Coyotes as the team to pull the trigger first in 2022 on a blockbuster deal. Now we wait to see who meets their steep asking price.

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports