Coyotes' Chychrun makes season debut vs. Predators

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun made his season debut Monday against the Nashville Predators.

Forward Nick Schmaltz is also in the lineup for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury in the season opener.

Chychrun, who's been the subject of trade speculation since January, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in March and underwent wrist surgery in the offseason.

Trade interest in Chychrun reportedly intensified right before the start of the 2022-23 campaign, but teams wanted to wait for him to get healthy. The Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Columbus Blue Jackets were among the interested parties at the time.

Arizona is seeking two first-round picks as part of a multi-asset package for Chychrun, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Monday.

Chychrun said at the start of training camp that he wanted to be traded to a playoff contender.

He recorded 21 points in 47 games last season, and he collected 18 goals and 23 assists in 56 contests the year prior, finishing 10th in Norris Trophy voting. The 24-year-old is under contract through 2024-25 at $4.6 million annually.

Chychrun is paired with Shayne Gostisbehere on Monday.

Schmaltz, meanwhile, tallied a career-high 59 points in 63 games last season. He's playing on the team's top line with Clayton Keller and Travis Boyd.

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