Kerby Rychel Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs Show Interest

Kerby Rychel Reportedly Makes Trade Request to GM Jarmo Kekalainen

Earlier reports this week suggest Columbus prospect Kerby Rychel is requesting a trade. It isn’t particularly breaking news, as Rychel’s camp apparently made a similar trade request prior to the 2015-16 season. At that time, Columbus had zero interest in moving the young forward.

More from Columbus Blue Jackets

via NBC Sports quoted from Columbus Dispatch,

"Rychel is an interesting case. You remember the dust-up at development camp, when Rychel’s camp — agent, father, possibly others — met with Blue Jackets’ officials and demanded an explanation as to why Rychel seems parked so deep on the depth chart? The Dispatch has been told repeatedly that Rychel asked for a trade before the season started, but the Blue Jackets have shown no interest in trading him. The New York Rangers, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Anaheim, Boston and Detroit have all reportedly shown interest, and why not? Rychel is a point-a-game player in the AHL and has plenty of sand paper."

Sep 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Kerby Rychel (21) against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s worth noting, in the wake of these trade rumors, Kerby Rychel was named to the AHL All-Star Team on Friday. He’s one of the more dominating players in the AHL because there’s simply no room for him on the NHL roster. There’s already an overabundance of similar role players with proven NHL experience. That’s why Kerby Rychel is struggling to earn a full-time roster spot. Would he be an upgrade on current bottom six forwards in Columbus? Perhaps, but he’d need time to adjust to the NHL level, even though he’s got a fair amount of pro experience.

Of all teams showing interest, the Toronto Maple Leafs make for one of the most intriguing destinations.

Kerby Rychel’s father Warren is a former NHL’er with 406 games of NHL experience. 26 of those games were for Toronto to close out the 1994-95 season. Warren accumulated 1422 penalty minutes over his career, with a season high of 19 points 1993-94 in Los Angeles. The gritty power forward proved a valuable bottom six player over his short NHL career. Kerby was born in California while his father played for the Kings, but Warren was born in Tucemseh, Ontario. Both Kerby and Warren spent their junior careers suiting up for OHL clubs. Kerby’s family roots are deeply linked to Leafs nation.

Aside from the obvious personal links to Toronto, what makes Kerby Rychel the perfect fit for the Blue and White?

1. Age: At just 21-years-old, Rychel is in the window of being near NHL ready. Wingers needing development usually breakthrough to the NHL between 21-23 years of age.

2. Style/Role: Said to be a much more offensively gifted version of his father, Kerby is a hard nose power forward. He has the potential to be a top-tier third line forward that can fill in temporarily in a second line role.

3. Depth Issue: Hockey’s Future calls Toronto’s strength “gritty bottom six forwards with good size”. While usually a reliable source for NHL prospects, this is a false statement. Toronto has tons of bottom six talent in the system, but the only one with size and grit is Frederik Gauthier. The only other true gritty power forward is Brendan Leipsic, standing at a mere 5’9. It’s proven teams need four lines that can put the puck in the net in today’s NHL. You also need more than a couple of power forward prospects (who may or may not develop into full-time NHL players).

According to the Columbus Dispatch, there was zero chance of Kerby Rychel’s trade request being honored prior to the 2015-16 season. After watching GM Jarmo Kekalainen dangle Ryan Johansen on the trade market, and eventually trade him, it’s obvious that any player is available for the right price.

Even after acquiring Seth Jones, the Blue Jackets could use more defensive help. Columbus is overloaded with offensive depth, arguably more than any other NHL club. So even if you think Zach Werenski, Gabriel Carlsson, Michael Paliotta, Dillon Heatherington, or Ryan Collins can have an NHL impact soon, a little extra depth never hurts.

Next: NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Hockey Deals

The Asking Price?

Perceptions from either side of a fair value deal tend to range. Fans usually value players on their own team a little higher than above true market value. Realistically, a Kerby Rychel deal to Toronto might fetch one of the following prospects in return (one team may need to add a draft pick to complete the deal):

D Martin Marincin, D T.J. Brennan, D Scott Harrington, D Stuart Percy, D Viktor Loov, D Frank Carrado, D Rinat Valiev

These are obviously starting talking points to initiate conversation. It wouldn’t shocking to see a multi-player deal between the two clubs involving Kerby Rychel.

Whether he’s moved this season, or during the summer, it seems there’s an expiration date for Rychel’s tenure in Columbus.

Home/Columbus Blue Jackets