Projected Top-6 Forward Suddenly Lands on the Trading Block and He Fits What the Leafs are Looking For
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty - Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs have an opportunity to land a projected top-6 forward with Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov having requested a trade out of Columbus.
Breaking developments from earlier today saw Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov requesting a trade through his agent, Shumi Babaev.
The story was later picked up by Blue Jackets reporter Mark Scheig as well as Aaron Portzline, who both confirmed as much. Portzline added that GM Don Waddell won't just move the young forward to appease his demands but will only do so if the right offer came his way.
The reason behind the request stems from his relationship with head coach Dean Evason, where he felt he fell out of favour after being made a healthy scratch upon his return from a back injury, according to Waddell.
When the 24-year-old forward was drafted in the first round back in 2020, it came as a shock to the hockey world. Not many were familiar with Chinakhov and certainly not as a first round pick.
Nevertheless, over his 4-year career with the Blue jackets, he has tallied 34 goals and 71 points in 175 games. His best season came in 2023-24 when he scored 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games, but injuries had derailed his 2024-25 campaign.
He missed 39 games due to a back injury, whereupon he only added 1 assist in his final 9 games. Before the injury he scored 7 goals and 14 points in 21 games, showcasing his first round talent.
Chinakhov's ice-time also dropped nearly 4 minutes per game upon his return, which probably played a pivotal role in his relationship with Evason breaking down as well.
He carries a cap hit of $2.1 million for the 2025-26 season and is set for restricted free agency next summer. The Maple Leafs would be wise to add the right winger to their lineup with the loss of Mitch Marner. Improving their top-9 scoring being a must right now.
Perhaps they could look at offering up Nicholas Robertson in a package deal, along with a pick and a prospect.
Both wingers need a change of scenery and they would be afforded the ability to change the script on their careers in their new locales.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 2353 ANSWERS Projected Top-6 Forward Suddenly Lands on the Trading Block and He Fits What the Leafs are Looking For Should the Maple Leafs trade for Yegor Chinakhov? | ||
| Yes, absolutely, top-6 potential is hard to find | 1169 | 49.7 % |
| No, wouldn't be worth the headache | 1184 | 50.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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