One Year Later, Coyotes Already Have Won Chychrun Trade

Before the 2023 first-round pick was placed next to a number, the Coyotes were going to get a good player regardless due to the 2023 draft class. Connor Bedard , Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov, and others flooded it with a level of pure talent not seen in years. They ended up drafting forward Daniil But — and we’ll discuss that draft choice in a bit — but they also got two more second-round picks.

Throughout the next three drafts, the Coyotes have 10 second round-picks, which is among the most in the league. While they hold all these picks for now, they could flip them for players, just like they did with Jack McBain from the Minnesota Wild in 2022.

Daniil But Has Extremely High Ceiling

As mentioned, with the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, the Coyotes took towering winger Daniil But. At the time of the selection, many criticized it, as there was little tape on But and there were concerns about drafting Russians due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, But had a very productive season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), notching 10 goals and 21 points in 53 games. He also recorded three points in three MHL (Russia’s top junior league) games he took part in.

If there’s anything Armstrong has targeted when drafting players, it’s their height. But stands at a staggering 6-foot-5, and once he’s able to fully grow into his frame, is going to be a force on the ice. He’s drawn comparisons to Buffalo Sabre and Arizona native Tage Thompson, whom Armstrong helped draft in his time with the St. Louis Blues.

But’s contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl expires after the 2024-25 season, so depending on where his development path is at that time, he could jump directly to the NHL. If he’s not quite ready, he’ll be down with the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners, giving him plenty of time to adapt to the speed of play in North America.

Durzi Has the Same Production As Chychrun

While But has the potential to be a big part of the Coyotes’ organization down the line, he’s yet to play in the NHL. So, it’s hard to tell who won the blockbuster trade with just him. However, the Coyotes made a separate deal with the Los Angeles Kings, which made them winners. This past summer, they acquired defenseman Sean Durzi for a 2024 second-round pick, which the Coyotes had acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Christian Dvorak in Sept. 2021.

So, what does Durzi have to do with Chychrun? Well, diving deeper into the numbers, both players are on pace for 43 points, and Durzi is arguably doing everything Chyrhcun did in the desert either the same or even better. He’s been able to quarterback the power play, and while it hasn’t been as hot recently, his presence has changed the outlook on the man advantage.

Both players are also 25 years old, which adds to the equation that the Coyotes truly won this trade, especially considering the production of both players this season.

Armstrong Continues to Make Smart Moves Despite Outside Noise

Armstrong has made several deals in the desert to continue en route to the end goal, winning a Stanley Cup. It’s not easy, and they still have plenty of bridges to cross before we can talk about that, but he is making the right moves at the correct times. For a team that’s been plagued by poor GMs, he’s giving the fanbase hope in arguably one of the lowest times as they still search for a permanent home in the valley. Time will tell, but in this particular trade, it looks like the Coyotes got the upper hand.