Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been full of twists this summer. Beyond the speculation of major trades involving Eric Carlson, Rickard Rakell, or Brian Rust, there might be yet another unexpected move coming.
Recently, agent Schmi Babaev revealed that Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade. This request stems from a reported misunderstanding with Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason.
Chinakhov, 24, just completed his fourth NHL season with Columbus, tallying seven goals and 15 points in 30 games. Known for his goal-scoring ability and high hockey IQ, Chinakhov’s skillset could complement Pittsburgh’s top nine forwards and young talents alike.
However, Chinakhov’s career has been marred by injuries, having played only 175 games over four seasons with 34 goals and 71 points. A back injury sidelined him for most of last season and the 2023-24 campaign. Columbus GM Don Waddell expressed concerns about Chinakhov’s struggles post-injury and the fallout with coach Evason.
With many trade rumors swirling around Brian Rust, linked to teams like Buffalo, Toronto, and Columbus, Chinakhov’s availability might add an interesting dimension. Speculation had previously floated about a Rust-to-Columbus deal involving Chinakhov, and now his trade request makes the possibility more intriguing.
If Pittsburgh engages Columbus in a deal including Rust and Chinakhov, they would likely seek significant returns, starting with a first-round pick, particularly the valuable 2026 pick. Including Chinakhov might require taking a conditional 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, potentially enabling Pittsburgh to extract additional assets from Columbus.
Rust, who has consistently been a 20-goal scorer for six seasons and hit a career-high 31 goals in 2024-25, remains a valuable player both on and off the ice. Dubas has emphasized that Rust’s trade price won’t be cheap, expecting offers to be "blown away" for the 33-year-old veteran.
While Chinakhov alone might not equate to Rust’s value, his history includes scoring 10 goals and 17 points in 32 games for KHL’s Omsk Avangard in 2020-21 and impressive junior stats in Russia’s MHL. Drafted 21st overall by Columbus in 2020, Chinakhov hasn’t fully met NHL expectations yet but his talent and potential remain evident – making him an asset worth gambling on for Dubas.
Even if Rust isn’t moving to Columbus, the Penguins have the assets and flexibility to pursue players like Chinakhov who might benefit from a fresh start. At the very least, Dubas should be in talks with Waddell.
Fan Take: This trade request by Yegor Chinakhov could shake up the NHL trade market and potentially reshape the Penguins’ roster. For hockey fans, it highlights the importance of youth potential and the strategic gamble teams must take between proven veterans and promising talents.
