NHL Rumors: Coyotes Will Ask For Maple Leafs' Young Defenceman In Chychrun Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to add a defenceman and Jakob Chychrun's name is at the top of their list. Before they make a move for him, they will need to be sure he's healthy and back playing since their team can't afford to add another injured defenceman.

The Maple Leafs are one of the front-runners to land Chychrun, but it will take some work to create room and come to an agreement. Nick Kypreos believes the Arizona Coyotes could ask for one of Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, or Topi Niemela as part of the package to get Chychrun. So which player would benefit the Coyotes the most and which would help the Maple Leafs get the deal done?

In terms of salary cap, the Maple Leafs are at the max. This means it would make more sense for them to include Liljegren or Sandin in a trade for Chychrun. The benefit to this is that they will have to worry about moving less money along with one of their young defenders. Chychrun can also play both sides of the ice, so that doesn't impact whether Sandin or Liljegren goes. Neither does the salary cap since both make $1.4 million until 2024.

To make a deal work, Jake Muzzin will also have to be moved since he's earning $5.625 million this season and next, is injury-prone, and is becoming a liability for how much he is paid.

As for Niemela, the Maple Leafs have a good defender here. They may be more inclined to hold onto him over Sandin and Liljegren considering his age, contract, and potential. The Coyotes would be happy with one of the two young NHL defenders as part of a deal since they will have the hole to fill on their blue line and a better opportunity for whoever comes back in a trade.