Coyotes draft Chychrun at No. 16 after taking on Datsyuk's contract
The Arizona Coyotes selected defenseman Jakob Chychrun with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after stomaching Pavel Datsyuk's contract in a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.
Jakob Chychrun
Position: Left Defense
Height: 6-2
Weight: 194 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Sarnia Sting
Nationality: Canadian-American
| GP | G | A | P | ES GPG | ES PPG | ES GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 0.048 | 0.339 | 59.1 |
(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)
The top-ranked North American defenseman and fourth-ranked skater overall on this side of the Atlantic, Chychrun has long worn the label of an elite next-level prospect.
With top-end skating skills and above-average hands, he's an extremely competent puck carrier, handler, and mover, possessing the transition skills required among top-pairing defensemen in the NHL today. That said, he doesn't necessarily possess the tools needed to run a highly successful power play.
Imposing in his own end, Chychrun employs a tough brand, but also has strong control over his own physicality. He'll have to refine his positioning, as he's too often forced to compensate with his effective, lengthy stride.
Chychrun was one of the more notable omissions on Team Canada's World Junior roster.
He was the first overall selection of the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League's Priority Selection in 2014. He's the son of Jeff Chychrun, the former 37th-overall selection and a veteran of 262 NHL games over his nine-year professional career.
Despite sliding out of lottery position, Chychrun was clearly coveted. Arizona has made a considerable financial investment in order to acquire a prospect that immediately jumps to the front of the line among defensemen in the system.