The Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to feel content with their roster going into the 2025-26 NHL season. Despite adding key pieces to the lineup, the Leafs could be close to finalizing another move to further bolster the team around Auston Matthews. Moreover, such a move could actually prove to be beneficial for both the Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s no secret Yegor Chinakhov wants to leave the Blue Jackets. His agent, Shumi Babaev, made that crystal clear with a trade request on social media. Still, Chinakhov is under contract for one more NHL season, and Columbus is in no rush to deal him away.
Whether the Blue Jackets will satisfy Chinakhov’s demand remains unclear. Obviously, there isn’t much beauty in forcing a player to stay in town. But Columbus doesn’t have to trade him simply to comply with Chinakhov’s camp.
Yet, if an interesting offer lands on the Blue Jackets’ table, they will surely pay attention to it. On that note, Matthews’ Leafs might have a trick up their sleeves. Perhaps a win-win trade could be brewing between Toronto and Columbus. As hinted by Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin, RFA Nick Robertson and Yegor Chinakhov might be swapped.
Nick Robertson #89 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Everyone could be happy
“You’ve got to look at the Blue Jackets for Yegor Chinakhov,” Larkin said on the Daily Faceoff podcast. “It would be a good bet for the Leafs on a player with upside, and it gives Robertson a change of scenery. I think he badly needs it, he needs a team that has more confidence in him, that won’t keep yanking him in-and-out of the lineup.”
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Both sides could benefit from such a swap, as they’ve stumbled into troubling times with their young forwards. A fresh start might be just what the doctor ordered for the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs to get a big order of business taken care of. As for Chinakhov and Robertson, entering a new organization might be the best move for their young NHL careers.
Legal trouble
Restricted free agent Robertson has yet to reach an agreement with the Leafs on his next NHL contract. The negotiations haven’t had much success, as the young forward filed for salary arbitration in hopes of getting leverage.
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.
Now, a date has been set for the arbitration hearings to take place: August 3rd. The clock is officially ticking for Matthews’ Leafs to reach an agreement with Robertson. If the two sides can’t put pen to paper on a new deal, an arbitrator will intervene to determine how much Robertson must sign for in Hogtown. If the Leafs don’t agree, the 23-year-old will become an UFA.
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NHL News: With Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs meddling, Blue Jackets and Yegor Chinakhov reportedly found common ground
So nice they might do it twice
However, there’s one alternative, and it’s looking more probable to become true by the minute. “With the departure of Mitch Marner, Toronto may want to keep Robertson,” The Hockey News’ Michael Augello said. “[Either] with multiple years under control, or at least settle with him to facilitate a trade.“
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As things currently stand, the latter seems to be a very real possibility. Perhaps, the Leafs will embark in yet another sign-and-trade scenario. After trading Mitch Marner in such fashion, Toronto might have grown fond of the strategy.
