Jakob Chychrun out indefinitely following knee surgery

The Coyotes announced earlier this afternoon that Jakob Chychrun is out indefinitely following successful knee surgery after an injury this week during training.

The club states they will provide an update on September 14 when training camp starts.

What does this mean?

Most likely Chychrun injured a major ligament if he is out with no timeline. For a young player just starting this isn’t the best way to go into your sophomore season, but he is still young and should make a complete recovery.

For most teams, this is where panic would set in but the Coyotes have a wealth of talent on the left side defensively. This shakes up what some pairings were going to possibly be, and could make the defense look very different come September.

Who?

There are a few options of who could slide into the line up with Chychrun out. Kevin Connauton could get the ice time he was looking for last season. If you remember, Connauton being out last season is a reason why Chychrun made the team out of camp.

This could also give younger players a chance in the NHL. Jalen Smereck could get his shot if he has an impressive Rookie and Main training camp. You could potentially see the likes of Dakota Mermis and even Cam Dineen make an attempt at it as well. Kyle Capobianco is also an option.

The Coyotes will miss Chychrun for the duration that he is out, but this injury will not sink the team. With the crop of players they have in the AHL, they will be able to continue until he is healthy again.

Starting next week we will be doing our 25 under 25 and you will read more about most of the young defensemen the Coyotes have in the stockroom.