The Toronto Maple Leafs are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit for new teammates for Auston Matthews and company. Trading Mitch Marner only aggravated the team’s need for depth and point-production. Now, another name has emerged in the NHL, and the Montreal Canadiens might have played a big role in him being linked to the Leafs.
Anything can happen in the NHL. That saying holds truth both on and off the ice. Rivals can embark in business transactions, enemies can help out each other on any given night. Briefly, fans should always expect the unexpected.
This was the case recently, as the Leafs and Canucks reportedly went from trade partners to competitors in bidding battle for a coveted free agent. Now, the stakes might be even bigger as it’s seemingly Montreal who has lent Matthews and Toronto a hand. However, the Habs were completely unaware of the domino effect they’d trigger with their trade for New York Islanders’ Noah Dobson.
Actions and reactions
In many ways, the NHL is a small world. Any action can kickstart a butterfly effect. As it seems, completing the trade for Dobson might have led to Columbus Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov requesting a trade, and in turn being pursued by the Maple Leafs.
Yegor Chinakhov #59 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on January 28, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
“The Blue Jackets tried to include Yegor Chinakhov in a package for defenceman Noah Dobson before the Islanders traded the blueliner to the Canadiens,” insider David Pagnotta reported on The Fourth Period. If the Canadiens hadn’t meddled and snatched Dobson, the Leafs would’ve never come across this perfect chance to replace Marner.
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Blue Jackets GM gives strong response to Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs’ interest in possible Mitch Marner replacement
Not backing down
While Chinakhov has openly requested a trade out of the organization in The Discovery City, the Blue Jackets won’t go down without a fight. In hopes of keeping the 24-year-old in town, general manager Don Waddell issued a blunt statement about the situation.
“[Chinakhov is] under contract. If he shows up with the right attitude, there’s no issue,” Waddell firmly said during an interview with The Athletic. “He has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not just going to trade him because [his agent] said to trade him.”
Fire the cannons
The situation surrounding Chinakhov’s future might only be beginning in Columbus. After everything the Blue Jackets have been through, the team was quite impressive the past season, and is hoping to continue building upward.
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Still, drama involving one of its young assets — especially with a market like Toronto in the mix — could be a momentum-killer. Columbus must be wise and carefully choose which battles are worth fighting and which simply aren’t.
