One trade rumor that has surfaced on Sunday, following the Kerby Rychel demand for a trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets management. This demand was not covered as much as the Jonathan Drouin trade request but nevertheless, Rychel’s demand will have teams knocking at the Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen.
Kekäläinen who already has issues with Ryan Johansen has to deal now with Rychel. It s believed several teams are interested in the Blue Jackets prospect. The news was revealed by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. He stated the 21 years-old Rychel has asked for a trade before the 2015-16 season began.
Portzline revealed Kerby Rychel’s father, his agent and “possibly others” all met with the Columbus Blue Jackets management, in order to find and sort out, why young Kirby was still doing time in the minors. His father believes he should be with the big team. This appears to be a trend with young players with Rychel, Drouin and earlier in the season Jarred Tinordi with the Montreal Canadiens.
Rychel is strong at 6’1 and 213lbs. Last season, Rychel saw some time with the Columbus Blue Jackets playing five games and compiling three assists. Most of last season was played with the Springfield Falcons where he played in 51 games, recording 12 goals and 21 assists. In 2015-2016, Rychel saw again limited time with the Blue Jackets getting three assists in 11 games.
In the OHL, Rychel with the Guelph Storm and Windsor Spitfires was more dominant. With the Lake Erie Monsters, Rychel has played better compiling 18 point in 20 games. He has cumulated 43 minutes of penalty with Lake Erie. He is a first round pick by the Jackets, who selected him in 2013 at the NHL Entry draft, 19th overall. His NHL entry-level contract will expire only in 2018.
It is reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings have all shown some interest on Rychel.
Minor trade between the Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks
In a minor trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks, the Toronto obtained left winger Jeremy Morin from Chicago in exchange for right wing Richard Panik. It is believed Morin will join the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs AHL affiliate team. The 24 years-old, Auburn, NY native, played 82 games with the Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets recording ten goals and 12 assists for 22 points.
In 2015-2016, Morin played for the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate team. With the IceHogs, he recorded nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. He was drafted in the second round (45th overall) at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, by the Atlanta Trashers.
As for Richard Panik, he was also drafted in the second round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Martin, Slovakia native recorded nine goals and sixteen assists for the Marlies in 33 games played. Panik, 24, played in 76 games last season with the Leafs scoring eleven goals and six assists for seventeen points. In 151 NHL games, Panik scored 19 goals and assisted on 20 more for 39 points. Panik was sent down to the Marlies earlier in the season.
The move is seen as a depth move by the Blackhawks and Morin could help comes the playoffs.
