Yegor Chinakhov and the Columbus Blue Jackets are clearly not seeing eye-to-eye at the moment. However, while the speculation grows in the NHL offseason, the two sides might come to a consensus. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs will stay in the vicinity. Who knows—maybe, somehow, a key teammate for Auston Matthews lands in their lap.
It might be wishful thinking, perhaps utopic, but it can’t hurt the Leafs. At least, not more than what they’ve endured so far in the offseason. It’s been a rocky ride for Matthews and company, to say the least.
Still, a beacon of hope lit up when Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, went public and requested a trade for his client in Columbus. In the blink of an eye, the Leafs found themselves back in the market. Still, the Blue Jackets are in no rush to put the young forward up for sale.
Toronto will have to make Columbus an offer worth their while. But as time goes by, the odds of the Blue Jackets and Chinakhov reaching peaceful terms only increase—spelling bad news for Matthews and company.
Yegor Chinakhov #59 of the Columbus Blue Jackets before playing against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 19, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“GM Don Waddell was looking for a top-six winger this summer, either by free agency or trade. Chinakhov is looking for a top-six opportunity to launch his career. Maybe the answer is right there in front of them,” The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline stated.
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Winning the Blue Jackets’ trust back
While Chinakhov’s potential alone is enough to earn him big minutes night in and night out in the NHL regular season, Columbus won’t reward him as easily. Especially after publicly calling the team out and seeking a new job in the league. Chinakhov will have to re-work on his relationships with the coaching staff, front office, and his teammates.
Head coach Dean Evason started the 2024-25 season with Chinakhov on the top line, and the 24-year-old didn’t disappoint, whatsoever. However, much has changed since. Injuries, drama, rifts—you name it. It’s safe to say the two sides can’t simply meet in training camp and act as if all is forgiven.
Starting from the bottom
The Athletic projects Chinakhov to be deployed on the third line when the regular season comes around in October. That is, of course, as long as the former first-round pick is still in the Discovery City by then.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs arrive on the red carpet for the 2020 NHL All-Star at Enterprise Arena on January 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
“We can assume that Chinakhov wouldn’t be pleased with this assignment,” Portzline said. “But if he’s healthy and full of a good attitude, as his agent has insisted, he could easily supplant Dmitry Voronkov or Boone Jenner on the lines above. If this is the season he realizes his potential, he could rearrange those top two lines.”
Uncertainty in The Arch City
It could all be a matter of earning Evason, Waddell, and the organization’s trust back. Show them he is in for the long run, though that’s not looking very promising, either. As Babaev revealed, the Russian forward believes his coach has little belief in him.
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“I don’t think there’s any way [Chinakhov] can stay in Columbus. I don’t see any way,” Babaev admittedweeks ago. “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. I’m just saying my player is not comfortable with this coach and [he feels like] the coach doesn’t trust him.”
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Perhaps there truly isn’t a silver lining or glimmer of hope left for Chinakhov in Ohio. The Blue Jackets, however, will take their sweet time. If any team is serious about acquiring the young forward, it’ll have to knock on Columbus’ door, not the other way around.
