Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade out of Columbus, his agent, Shumi Babaev, relayed Thursday in an X post. General manager Don Waddell told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that he’s aware of the request and has already begun trade talks.
“I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season,” Chinakhov said. “Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”
Waddell told Portzline that he’ll only move Chinakhov if he sees fair value in a trade; he won’t dump the young winger for a minimal return just because he wants out. If that offer doesn’t materialize by training camp, Waddell still expects Chinakhov to report to the club but will presumably continue trying to find a new home for him.
It’s not particularly clear what those misunderstandings with head coach Dean Evason were, but his usage down the stretch likely has a lot to do with it. Chinakhov averaged a career-high 15:43 of ice time per game last season but became a frequent healthy scratch at the tail end of the campaign, sitting out 12 of the Jackets’ final 13 games.
That, combined with missing three months due to back problems, limited the 24-year-old to 30 appearances. He scored seven goals and eight assists for 15 points, seeing his points per game output drop from 0.55 in 2023-24 to 0.50 last year.
Injuries have been a consistent factor for Chinakhov since making the jump to North America, stunting the 2020 surprise first-round selection’s development. He’s still put up respectable averages of 16 goals and 33 points per 82 games in his four NHL seasons, including a 44-point pace over the last two years.
He’s certainly an everyday NHL player. Still, with his production pace topping off at that level at this point in his development, combined with his injury history, things don’t bode well for the Jackets to recoup the first-round value they invested in Chinakhov five years ago in a trade.
They should still be able to command a decent return, whether that’s a package of mid-value picks and prospects or a player-for-player swap to take a change of scenery candidate back the other way. If the latter ends up being the route Waddell pursues, the Maple Leafs and Blackhawks could be speculative partners with young forwards Nicholas Robertson and Lukas Reichel available.
Image courtesy of Jeff Curry-Imagn Images.
could see the Leafs being interested. Robertson has proven himself slightly more but the size of Chinakhov would be intriguing to BT I’m sure.
How has Robertson proved himself more he has one 27 point campaign to his name. Chinakhiv has been an NHL regular since his draft year and routinely puts up 30+ points. If anything it’s Chinakhov who has proven himself more at this point.
Sorry not puts up 30 points but over a 30 point pace every year.
It’s not like it’s a 1-1 trade could see it being a good fit for both parties with some other pieces attached as I do agree Nick isn’t enough
He will be making a big mistake leaving…
Can’t get along with Dean Evason? Maybe Tocchet will be a good fit, being a quitter too…
Surprised he wouldn’t want to be around all those other Russians.
Kid can’t stay healthy and when healthy he seems to disappear when on the ice. One would imagine he would be a PP guy with his shot but he’s not responsible at either end of the ice. If the Jackets can get a player like Robertson (prefer they include him in a package for Jason Robertson) I would make the move. If you look at the roster where does Chinny fit? Won’t see top 6 minutes, probably won’t see top 9 honestly. Although one could argue Robertson wouldn’t crack top 6/9 either.
Compher and Berggren for Chinakhov
Too much for him.
CBJ says no thanks. How many years left on Compher’s contract?
Berggren and Compher and a 3rd for Chinakhov and Jenner
That’s just ridiculous. I don’t think that offer gets Chinny, but not even close to Boone. Nobody wants Compher and Berggren is over valued.
CHINAKHOV TO TBAY FOR CHAFFEE in return