Reignited trade rumors weighing on Chychrun: 'Don't know what else I can do'

Ottawa Senators blue-liner Jakob Chychrun survived the deadline without being moved but knows his name will continue to serve as potential trade bait going forward.

"The trade deadline is over, but people are already talking about the summer. It's not like the chatter is going anywhere," Chychrun told The Athletic's Ian Mendes. "It's the reality of the situation with my contract with having one year left. We'll see what happens with my situation moving forward."

In January, Chychrun called trade rumors "ridiculous," but they persisted leading up to the deadline as the Senators fell further out of the playoff race.

"I really don't know what else I can do. I can only focus on the things I can control. And that's easier said than done sometimes," he said. "That's something as a professional that I'm going to deal with and try to not let it affect me."

Chychrun was dealt to the Senators from the Arizona Coyotes before the 2023 deadline after more than a year of speculation on his future. His arrival was supposed to help a rebuilding Ottawa squad become a playoff contender, but the club sits 28th in the league standings. The soon-to-be 26-year-old said some team success could've erased uncertainty about his future with the organization.

"What's disappointing is not the (trade) talks," he said. "It's the way the season has gone for us as a group. If things were different, none of this would be going on. That's the most frustrating thing for me. We all had such high hopes for this group, and we haven't lived up to those expectations. That's the toughest pill to swallow."

Chychrun's notched 36 points in 74 games since joining the Senators. He's under contract through 2025 at a $4.6-million cap hit and has a 10-team no-trade clause, according to CapFriendly.