Montreal Canadiens 2016 NHL Draft: Jakob Chychrun, Elite Skill Set

by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Every season there seems to be one player who for one reason or another ends up dropping in the first round, and it will most likely happen to Jakob Chychrun as defenders Olli Juolevi (Memorial Cup Champion) and Mikhail Sergachev (OHL’s top defenceman) have surpassed him according to some scouts.   

Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
March 31, 1998 | Boca Raton, Florida, United States
6-2, 214 lbs. | Shoots L | @j_chychrun7
2015-’16: 62 GP, 11 G, 38 A, 49 PTS (Sarnia Sting)

CSB: No. 4 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. 8 | THN: No. 9 | HP: No. 14 | FC: No. 6

Jakob Chychrun was selected first overall by the Sarnia Sting during the 2014 OHL Priority Selection Draft. His rookie season he was a finalist for OHL Defenceman of the Year, finishing the season with 16 G, 17 A for 33 points in only 42 games (missed 26 regular season games as well as five playoff games with an upper-body injury.) He also demonstrated solid numbers (listed above) during the 2015-2016 OHL season, once again being nominated for OHL Defenceman of the Year.

He is the son of former NHL defenceman Jeff Chychrun, who appeared in 262 NHL games, suiting up for the Flyers, Kings, Penguins and Oilers.

An elite two-way defender, who was once considered the top rated defenceman in the 2016 NHL draft class, Chychrun possesses NHL ready size, leadership, and can hurt you on both sides of the ice. On the offensive side, he has the hockey sense, cannon of a shot, passing ability, strong skating and situational awareness to run a power play unit. Defensively, he shuts down top lines game after game, logging big minutes with strong positioning, cutting down passing and shooting lanes with an active stick, and with his willingness to use his body to separate players from the puck, without getting himself out of the play.

Even though he wasn’t selected to represent Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Helsinki, Finland, he did however represent Canada at the U-18 Championship in Grand Forks, North Dakota where he recorded 1G and 3A in seven games. He also wore the “C” for Team Cherry during the BMO Top Prospects Game and participated on Team OHL during the Subway Super Series.

From tree planting to room service to fitness testing. @j_chychrun7's #NHLCombine blog: https://t.co/23gQvTvaeq pic.twitter.com/paEHE7QsKn

— NHL (@NHL) June 5, 2016

In conclusion, Jakob Chychrun has the potential to become an elite franchise defender and with the future departure of Andrei Markov on the left side, he could potentially fill that position. He may not be ready to jump into the lineup to start the 2016-2017 season, but the Habs scouting staff should have their eyes on him if they’re looking to bolster their prospects on the blueline. He would also provide the Habs some cap relief when he’s ultimately deemed (NHL ready.)

Once considered a lock to be a top-3 selection, and top ranked defenceman, one lucky team may receive his services with a pick well below his elite potential. The Habs may have that opportunity in Buffalo; will they do so with the ninth overall pick?

Need to catch up on potential draftees? You will find the All Habs draft archive here or use the quick links below to check out our most recent articles on the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

2016 NHL Entry Draft on All Habs Hockey Magazine
In case you missed them! Here are the most recent articles on the draft.
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