Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) skates with the puck against Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) as Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka, right, looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Glendale. Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun was the only Arizona Coyotes player to rank in ESPN’s NHL Rank top 100 for the 2022-23 season.
The 24-year-old fell 43 spots from his 2021-22 rank, placing 99th to start this season.
Chychrun is a high-end talent with great defensive details and offensive upside — when he’s healthy. Injuries have defined the blueliner’s past 12 months but shouldn’t distract from what he can offer at full strength. – Kristen Shilton
Chychrun finished 10th for the Norris Trophy — given to the league’s best defenseman — in 2020-21. That season, he led defensemen with 18 goals and tied for 10th in points in 56 games.
However, the 2016 first-round pick’s production, and health, tailed off in 2021-22.
He scored only seven goals and registered 21 points in 47 games. While he only played nine fewer games than his career year the season prior, 2020-21 was shortened due to COVID-19. Chychrun didn’t miss a game that season but missed 35 last year.
The left-shot blueliner hasn’t debuted yet this season but will reportedly begin practicing with the team this week. He missed the start of training camp with an ankle injury and is now rehabbing from a wrist injury.
At media day last month, he admitted to requesting a trade to a contender, citing his desire to win a Stanley Cup and the lack of opportunity he had to do so in the desert through six seasons.
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