4 defensemen trades New Jersey Devils can make to replace Kevin Bahl with an upgrade

4. Jakob Chychrun
Ottawa Senators

This one is complicated for the Devils. To get Jakob Chychrun, it’s going to cost that 10th overall pick. The Senators might be willing to sweeten the pot if the Devils do the same. Let’s talk about the fit first.

Chychrun is a legitimate star on the backend. He was once one of the most desirable pieces on a bad team. He toiled in Arizona for years, making just one playoff appearance in his time in the desert. Would that scare the Devils off? Chychrun only has six more playoff games in his career than Luke Hughes. 

Still, this trade is all about the talent. Chychrun is amazing, and he’d give Hamilton an immediate superstar partner. They’d be menaces out there, putting together some creative passing to drive offense without losing everything on the defensive end.

The real stoppage for Tom Fitzgerald would be the contract. Chychrun is in the last year of his deal, and he’s looking to get paid on an extension. Would Fitzgerald give up the 10th overall pick for a player that is out the door next year? We assume he’d try to work another trade to avoid giving up that asset.