Two months after requesting a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, it appears forward Yegor Chinakhov is changing his tune. According to Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers, after yesterday’s practice, Chinakhov stated he was open to staying in Columbus after coming to an understanding with head coach Dean Evason.
Although Chinakhov and his representation haven’t formally stated that they’ve rescinded his trade request, it’s quite literally the opposite of what he said in mid-July. Announcing his trade request, Chinakhov said, “I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. 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.”
Though he never elaborated on the misunderstandings, PHR’s Josh Erickson wrote at the time, “[B]ut 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.”
There’s no question the former first-round pick hasn’t lived up to expectations in Columbus yet. Since becoming a regular player for the team in the 2021-22 campaign, Chinakhov has recorded 34 goals and 71 points in 175 games in a Blue Jackets sweater, maxing out with a 16-goal, 29-point campaign in 2023-24.
Unless his play on the defensive side of the puck shows improvement, Chinakhov is best utilized in a top-six role, with linemates having the ability to carry a line. Unfortunately for him, after the addition of Charlie Coyle and with Boone Jenner being healthy to start the year on time, it’s not clear Chinakhov will have that opportunity out of the gate.
Clearly, as Chinakhov stated yesterday, he and Evason have arranged a palatable compromise. Whether his lack of ice time in even-strength play is offset by additional time on the power play, or Chinakhov dialing back his own expectations, it appears that he’ll start the year in a Blue Jackets uniform.
He would probably be better off there then somewhere else.
It’s not like they have the deepest high end top 6 in the league.
What top 6 is he breaking into?
Once you say it out loud, You have to own it, And be unapologetic about it.