Yegor Chinakhov stole the spotlight in the NHL offseason with his public trade request out of the Columbus Blue Jackets. While the latest reports indicate the rift might be closing, the Toronto Maple Leafs might be the ones who resent such news the most. After all, Auston Matthews and company are still searching for Mitch Marner’s replacement — and they might be seeing a door slammed shut in their face.
Just when the Maple Leafs started to feel content with their roster going into the 2025-26 NHL season, a new face appeared in the market. Or at least pushed to make it to the trade block. Chinakhov could be just what Toronto needs to aid Marner’s absence for Matthews and company.
Still, working out a trade for the 24-year-old forward will be easier said than done. Columbus has made it clear it won’t move the Russian unless a suitable offer comes along. Toronto, however, has enough in its ranks to tip the scales in its favor if it truly wants to acquire Chinakhov.
Whether Matthews’ Maple Leafs are ready to go all-in on Chinakhov remains to be seen. However, the Leafs don’t have the luxury of time, and recent reports suggest the Blue Jackets and their trade-seeking forward have begun to find some common ground.
“Both sides agree Chinakhov will report for training camp in September,” The Hockey News’ Lyle Richardson reported. “Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, doubted that his client could remain with the Blue Jackets. Nevertheless, Waddell said he’ll move him only for the right offer.”
Not them, it’s about him
While Chinakhov hopes to continue his NHL career elsewhere, his agent was quick to set the record straight about the trade request. Babaev clarified that Chinakhov’s desire to leave Columbus has nothing to do with the franchise or the city per se. Instead, the decision is mostly motivated by the player’s relationship with head coach Dean Evason.
“I don’t think there’s any way he can stay in Columbus. I don’t see any way. Chinakhov is comfortable with this team. He’s comfortable with the city. But he’s not comfortable with this coach. It’s all about the coach,” Shumi Babaev told The Athletic.
Clock’s ticking
The Maple Leafs know the pressure is only mounting heading into the upcoming season. Many have buckled under it, leading to Marner’s departure, but those who remain in The Six can’t afford to focus on anything but one thing — and Matthews is chasing that very same goal.
“The only thing when you get to this stage of Auston Matthews’ career, all he cares about now is winning the Stanley Cup,” insider Chris Johnston said during a recent episode of his show. “That is his reason for being a hockey player. It’s the exact same thing for these Leafs’ players. Like even John Tavares coming back to Toronto on the contract he did. He clearly could have made more money elsewhere. He sacrificed that because he wants to win with this team.”
SURVEY If Toronto traded for Chinakhov, where should it play him?
If Toronto traded for Chinakhov, where should it play him?
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Of course, the Stanley Cup has always been the goal for the Maple Leafs. It’s been that way for 58 years. Still, Lord Stanley has proven hard — if not impossible — to capture for the organization in Hogtown. Perhaps trading Marner was the spark this team needed, or perhaps it’s just another desperate move in a weary search for silverware.