Latest news with #YegorChinakhov
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Trade rumors: Avalanche have $4M to spend and Yegor Chinakhov could be steal of the summer
Yegor Chinakhov could be Colorado's next breakout weapon (Image via: Getty Images) The Colorado Avalanche's 2025 NHL free agency has flown under the radar. With limited moves outside of re-signings and the addition of veteran defenseman Brent Burns, the team still holds over $4 million in cap space. If they're looking for one more impactful move, they should turn their eyes to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. Why Yegor Chinakhov is the perfect trade target for Colorado Chinakhov, the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is looking for a fresh start. His agent recently confirmed the winger's desire to move on from Columbus, citing ongoing issues with the coaching staff and limited opportunities. Columbus GM Don Waddell admitted the relationship has soured, especially after Chinakhov was healthy scratched following a back injury. For the Avalanche , this presents a golden opportunity. Chinakhov is just 24 and offers immediate NHL value. He scored 16 goals in the 2023-24 season and followed up with 15 points in 30 games this past year, despite injuries. At 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, he brings size, skill, and speed—three pillars of Colorado's identity. Yegor Chinakhov to the Boston Bruins? What Yegor Chinakhov brings to Avalanche lineup According to NHL Edge, Chinakhov ranked in the 94th percentile in top skating speed and 97th percentile in shot speed last season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo These elite traits make him a perfect fit for Colorado's high-tempo system. The Avalanche led the NHL in explosive skating stats in 2024-25, with stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas dominating in 20+ mph bursts. Chinakhov's offensive upside hasn't fully surfaced yet, but his numbers hint at breakout potential if paired with the right playmaker. In a system like Colorado's, he could thrive and grow into a reliable top-six forward. FAQs: Why is Yegor Chinakhov a good fit for the Colorado Avalanche? Chinakhov's elite skating speed, heavy shot, and age make him a strong match for Colorado's fast-paced, high-skill system. At just 24, he offers immediate upside and long-term value for a team with aging core players. What would it cost the Avalanche to trade for Yegor Chinakhov? Since Chinakhov carries a $2.1 million cap hit and is an RFA next summer, Columbus may ask for mid-round picks or NHL-ready depth players. The Avalanche have multiple fourth-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks to make a deal work. Where would Yegor Chinakhov fit in the Avalanche lineup? While the current top six is crowded, Chinakhov could slot in during injuries or rotation and eventually grow into a permanent top-six role as veteran contracts age out over the next 1–2 seasons. Where Yegor Chinakhov fits and what it might cost With veterans like Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Valeri Nichushkin aging, Colorado needs to invest in young talent. Chinakhov could be a future top-six staple or an injury replacement who eventually claims a permanent role. He's cheap at $2.1 million and will be an arbitration-eligible RFA next year. Also Read: Antoine Keller's NHL draft journey could bring France back to Olympic Ice Hockey after 23 years While the Avalanche lack early draft picks in 2025, they hold multiple fourth, fifth, and seventh-rounders, plus a second-rounder in 2026. That could be enough to tempt Columbus. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: What Yegor Chinakhov wants is in Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Columbus Blue Jackets: For a couple of years now, maybe longer, there have been percolating signs of discontent between the Columbus Blue Jackets and winger Yegor Chinakhov. Advertisement Early in the 2023-24 season, when Chinakhov was working his way back into the lineup on the fourth line under coach Pascal Vincent, Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, told The Columbus Dispatch that Chinakhov 'doesn't feel the (Blue Jackets) trust him, and he wants to leave.' Last season, while Chinakhov was out of the lineup with a back injury, he told a group of reporters in the Blue Jackets dressing room that he and the club disagreed on the best approach to healing his back pain, which had lingered for more than a year. This week, Chinakhov and Babaev threw it all out in public. On Thursday, Chinakhov told the Russian outlet Sport-Express that he would welcome a trade, again mentioning that he felt a lack of trust from the coaching staff, now led by Dean Evason. A day later, Babaev went a step further in an interview with The Athletic, saying: 'I don't think there's any way he can stay in Columbus,' and later adding, 'It's all about the coach.' When this spat first surfaced, many assumed that it was related to Chinakhov's back issue. And while that behind-the-scenes drama existed, it appears to have been resolved. During the 4 Nations Faceoff in February, Chinakhov traveled to Moscow to have a procedure that he said wasn't an approved treatment in North America. 'In one hour, the doctors (in Moscow) fixed everything,' Babaev said. 'It's not a problem. It wasn't surgery. It was like a shot, like you'd get at the dentist. It took 40 minutes. He visited a lot of doctors in the U.S., and they didn't know how to fix it. 'Now he's 100 percent healthy. I explained it to (Blue Jackets general manager) Don (Waddell) and he understands me.' Babaev said Chinakhov is skating hard and pain-free this summer, training with several NHL players in Moscow, including his Blue Jackets teammate Kirill Marchenko. Advertisement If it's true that Chinakhov's back pain and any lingering resentment over his treatment are in the past, as Chinakhov and Babaev have indicated, then that leaves Chinakhov's playing time, his spot in the lineup and his relationship with Evason in question. Evason, understandably, didn't want to get into a back and forth with Chinakhov in the media, so he offered a comment through a club spokesman — 'The lines of communication are open, and they will continue to be open' — but he otherwise let Chinakhov and Babaev talk. Waddell is not averse to trading Chinakhov, he said, but he's not simply going to accept the offer of the highest bidder. This is not the Patrik Laine situation from last summer, when the Blue Jackets were eager to unload Laine and his $8.7 million salary. The Blue Jackets have said that, barring a trade, they expect Chinakhov to show up for training camp healthy and ready to work. Chinakhov, through Babaev, has said that he plans to honor his contract, which pays him $2.1 million this season and expires next summer, with Chinakhov a restricted free agent. Here's what makes this situation so maddening, so silly. Chinakhov has said he wants to be a top-six winger in the NHL. When you consider the situation in Columbus with Evason's high-paced, offensively-friendly system, the Blue Jackets' impressive young forward talent, and the lineup spot in the top six that's sitting there to be grabbed, there may be no better spot for Chinakhov than right where he is. Last season, Evason started the season with Chinakhov on the No. 1 line with center Sean Monahan and right winger Dmitri Voronkov. (That doesn't sound like a lack of trust, eh?) That line was impressive for the first six weeks of the season, and Chinakhov was the Jackets' top forward. He did not look the same, understandably so, when he returned after missing 40 games with the back injury, and he was in and out of the lineup with reduced ice time as a result. He played nine games after his return and totaled 0-1-1 with a minus-8 rating. Advertisement That's not an argument for more playing time, and with the Blue Jackets desperate to get into the postseason, the coaching staff had to make short-term, day-to-day decisions. When fully healthy, there's no reason Chinakhov couldn't supplant Voronkov for a spot on the top line. There's no reason he couldn't play on the right side of a second line, with center Adam Fantilli and playmaking left winger Kent Johnson. The two players he'd likely have to beat out for that final top-six spot — captain Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger — do not have the raw skill package of Chinakhov. If he could only stay healthy for more than a couple of months at a time, one gets the sense that Chinakhov's career could launch like the rest of the young players in the Blue Jackets' lineup. 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. -A- The Donskov family has been training young hockey players in central Ohio across two generations and four decades at the Donskov Hockey Development training center in suburban Columbus. So the leap made last week by brothers Anthony and Matthew Donskov was a huge step forward and a natural fit. The Blue Jackets announced that they hired the Donskov brothers as development coaches, joining a network of coaches who help guide the organization's young talents on their way (hopefully) to the NHL. It's now a three-man staff with the Donskovs and Tommy Cross. 'Coaching is just a passion point for our family,' Anthony Donskov said. 'It started with our father (Paul), of course. To be a small part of the big journey, to see the development of individuals over time and to help them get to where they want to be … that's what wakes you up in the morning. That's what we're passionate about.' DHD staff— Anthony @AnthonyDonskov & Matt Donskov wrapped up a great week of hockey with the @BlueJacketsNHL at their 2025 Development Camp. One Day Better. — Donskov Hockey Development (@DonskovHD) July 6, 2025 Blue Jackets franchise legend Rick Nash, who oversees the development staff in his role of director of hockey operations, first brought the Donskovs to development camp last summer to be involved in the on-ice coaching. Little did they know it was a tryout. Last December, Nash put the brothers to work on a 'special project' and was impressed with their work, which led to another invitation to work at this year's development camp, which led to an offer for full-time work in the NHL. Advertisement How much time they'll be able to commit to the family gym — at least during the season — is still to be determined. 'This was something we couldn't pass up,' Matthew Donskov said. 'We've absolutely loved doing what we've been doing (at the family training center), but this is such a unique opportunity. It wasn't tough in any way to make this decision. It's the NHL, right? It's an opportunity to work with Rick and others in the organization. We're beyond excited.' The Donskovs will travel quite a bit in this new role, but they'll also do a lot of scouting work and have conversations with prospects via phone and video conferencing. Modern technology is a big help when prospects are scattered across the hockey-playing world. The Donskovs started to develop relationships with several of the prospects over the last two development camps, but that will move forward quickly when training camp starts. This marks three Donskovs who have worked in the NHL. Misha Donskov worked for the Atlanta Thrashers, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. His first NHL job, ironically enough, was under Waddell with the Thrashers. He left the Stars this summer to accept a top job with Team Canada, but will likely make his way back to the league soon enough. Could there be three Donskovs in the NHL at some point? 'I haven't given that a lot of thought, to be honest,' Matthew said. 'But all three together in the NHL … well, that would certainly be a dream.' -A- Paul DeFazio, the Blue Jackets' new equipment manager, said it was a random conversation with Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby last month that prompted Crosby to make a phone call on DeFazio's behalf. 'We were just chatting, and I told him what was going on, and he said he knew Rick Nash really well and he'd reach out to him,' said DeFazio, who left the Penguins after nearly 30 years to join the Jackets. 'Sid kept his word. And I'm so, so appreciative.' Advertisement DeFazio, a Pittsburgh native, said he's been looking to 'move on' from the Penguins for a while, and he wanted to run his own room after serving as the assistant with the Penguins for over two decades. 'That's one of the things that's most hard is the relationships I've had there, with the other equipment guys, with the players, ' DeFazio said. 'And Sid is a part of that, obviously. I've helped him out a lot, but he's helped me out a ton.' How Sidney Crosby helped the Blue Jackets land their new head equipment manager — The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) July 16, 2025 DeFazio became Crosby's 'skate guy' over the last few years, a job that comes with immense responsibility and precision. Crosby, like all the greats, treats his gear like an extension of his body. If something's off, he's not pleased. 'It's a pretty big job,' DeFazio said with a chuckle. 'He trusted me and he was happy with my work … I mean, not always. We had our differences. We had times where, you know, something's not right and he'd tell me. But we'd fix it. It was a great relationship, really.' Before he was 'allowed' to leave Pittsburgh, DeFazio said, he showed another member of the Penguins' training staff how Crosby likes his skates to be sharpened. DeFazio is moving on to a new organization and a new group of players, although he's worked previously with Blue Jackets forward Zach Aston-Reese and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. DeFazio said he's already talked to every Blue Jackets player on a one-way contract to ensure their gear has been ordered in time for training camp's start in mid-September, and he's working through the list of players on two-way contracts. The goal is simple, DeFazio said: 'I want the room to be organized. I like detail. I like being on top of things. I don't want to give the players any excuses. I want the players to be well taken care of, whether they're first-line guys or a guy in prospect camp. I think it's important to treat every one of them the same.' Advertisement -A- Runnin' it back in Buffalo! Our schedule is set for this year's Prospects Challenge at the Lecom Harborcenter. Stay tuned for our roster and more info: — Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 14, 2025 (Photo of Yegor Chinakhov: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Yegor Chinakhov's agent on trade request: ‘It's all about the coach'
July 19 - Yegor Chinakhov's agent doubled down on the notion that the Columbus Blue Jackets' coach, Dean Evason, is the reason the 24-year-old forward requested a trade. "(Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He's comfortable with this city," Shumi Babaev said, per The Athletic. "But he's not comfortable with this coach. It's all about the coach. "If you remember, (Chinakhov) started the season on the first line and he was fantastic. And then he's on the third line, and that's it. Third line. The coach doesn't tell him anything. Why? Why would you do this? It should be something that should be (explained) about why he did this." Chinakhov requested a trade from the team on Thursday, citing conflict with Evason in a statement released on social media by Babaev. "I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location," Chinakhov said in the statement posted on X. "Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here." Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell reacted to the request in an interview with The Athletic. Waddell acknowledged that Chinakhov "fell out of favor" with Evason. The general manager added that he will continue to engage in trade talks with other teams but is looking for value in return. "I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him," he told The Athletic. The Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov with the 21st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Draft. The past two seasons, a back injury limited the playing time of Chinakhov. In 2024-25, he posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games. The previous season, he recorded 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games. In 175 career games, he has 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) and a minus-42 rating. Chinakhov has one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. He will earn $2.1 million. Babaev did not appear hopeful about Chinakhov's chances of remaining in Ohio, telling The Athletic, "I don't think there's any way he can stay in Columbus. I don't see any way." --Field Level Media
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
No way Yegor Chinakhov can stay in Columbus after trade request, agent says: ‘It's all about the coach'
COLUMBUS, Ohio — One day after Yegor Chinakhov's trade request was made public, the agent for the Columbus Blue Jackets' 24-year-old winger made it clear how they're thinking about the future. 'I don't think there's any way he can stay in Columbus,' Shumi Babaev said. 'I don't see any way.' The issue, Babaev insisted, is Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason, who, he said, did not communicate with Chinakhov at any point during last season — not when he went down with a back injury in late November, not when he returned to the lineup in early March, and not when he was a healthy scratch for most of the final month of the season. Advertisement '(Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He's comfortable with this city,' Babaev told The Athletic from Moscow. 'But he's not comfortable with this coach. It's all about the coach. 'If you remember, (Chinakhov) started the season on the first line and he was fantastic. And then he's on the third line, and that's it. Third line. The coach doesn't tell him anything. Why? Why would you do this? It should be something that should be (explained) about why he did this. 'I'm not saying how a coach should work. (I'm) just saying that for my player, it's not comfortable with the coach and (he feels like) the coach doesn't trust him.' Asked if the relationship between Evason and Chinakhov could be repaired — either with an offseason phone call, or a face-to-face meeting in Columbus ahead of training camp — Babaev didn't sound optimistic. 'During the season, he didn't tell him anything,' Babaev said. ''China' said he didn't talk (to) him (about) anything the whole season, he just always said the assistant coaches would tell him everything. You think in 365 days it didn't change anything, but you think it's going to change now? 'I don't think so. Some coaches like players; some coaches like other players.' Evason initially declined to comment when reached by The Athletic, allowing GM Don Waddell's comments on Thursday to speak for the club. But through a team spokesman, he indicated that there were, in fact, conversations between him and Chinkahov, as well as his assistant coaches and the player. Further, Evason said through the spokesman, 'The lines of communication are open, and they will continue to be open.' Chinakhov was arguably the Blue Jackets' best forward in the first month of the season, drawing considerable time on the No. 1 line with center Sean Monahan and right winger Kirill Marchenko. Advertisement When he went down with a back injury in late November, he had 7-7-14 in 21 games and was averaging 17 minutes, 1 second of ice time per game, the highest in his career. But the back injury knocked him out of the lineup for more than three months and was a source of much frustration for the club. It marked the fourth straight season that Chinakhov has missed considerable time with an injury. In four seasons, he's missed 121 games, mostly with back and ankle injuries. Chinakhov had a procedure done in Russia during the NHL's break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament and was able to return to the lineup on March 4. He played in only nine games the rest of the way, totaling 0-1-1 and a minus-8 rating, and playing just 12:42. When the Blue Jackets made a push toward the Stanley Cup playoffs — they won their final six games to finish two points out of the last playoff spot — Chinakhov was sitting as a healthy scratch. 'Any team in the NHL would say Chinny is a top-six player,' Babaev said. 'If (Evason) doesn't like him, then why not trade him. Why should you hold him? What's the reason? It's the best solution. 'China wants to play in the NHL. He wants to win. He wants to help the team. He wants to try his best. But if the coach doesn't like him, how can he do that?' Waddell said he's open to a trade, but only if he gets the right offer for Chinakhov. Otherwise, the expectation is that Chinakhov would arrive at training camp in September ready to compete and play. Babaev confirmed to The Athletic that Chinakhov will arrive on time to camp, and he said his back injury is 100 percent healed. 'It's not good that this (story) is coming to the media,' said Babaev, whose midday Thursday social media post alerted the hockey world to Chinakhov's interview with the Russian outlet Sports-Express, in which the trade request first landed. Advertisement 'Yegor just said what he thinks. He talked about his emotions, and that's fine. I've already talked to (Waddell). It was a good conversation. We both understand each other, and I understand Yegor is a very good player. It's not easy (for the Blue Jackets) to trade him. (Waddell) needs to get something for him.'
Mint
5 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Yegor Chinakhov requests trade from Blue Jackets due to misunderstandings with coach; says ‘I would like to…'
Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has officially requested a trade. He has cited misunderstandings with head coach Dean Evason as the reason behind his decision. The 24-year-old forward's request was confirmed by the team on Thursday, following a public statement from his agent on social media. Drafted 21st overall in 2020, Yegor Chinakhov has been a part of over four NHL seasons. He has played in 175 games while missing 109 due to various injuries. Last season, a back injury sidelined him for 40 games, and even after returning on March 4, he was a healthy scratch for 12 of the final 17 games. His performance last season was modest, with seven goals, eight assists for 15 points in 30 games, and a minus-6 rating. Chinakhov's injury history has been a recurring theme. He has not played more than 53 games in a single season since his rookie year in 2021-22. Despite these setbacks, he has accumulated 34 goals and 37 assists in his career, with a career-high 16 goals and 13 assists in the 2023-24 season. A recent procedure during the 4 Nations Face-Off addressed his lingering back issues, and he entered the offseason with a clean bill of health, according to Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell. Yegor Chinakhov's trade request became public through a post on X by his agent, Shumi Babaev, who quoted the player directly: 'I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.' General manager Don Waddell expressed surprise at Babaev's public approach but was unfazed by the trade request, noting prior discussions with Chinakhov's camp. 'I am surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public,' Waddell told The Athletic. 'But I am not surprised (about the trade request) because we have talked about it. He got back (from the back injury last season) and didn't play well, and (Chinakhov and Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason) fell out of favour.' 'I told (Babaev), he has value. I will talk to the teams. I have talked to teams. But I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him,' he added. He also dismissed any added urgency from Babaev's public post: 'I ignore it,' Waddell said. 'I will talk to teams. I will continue to talk to teams. But him (going public) isn't going to change my thinking on it. I have to have the right value.' Notably, Waddell expects Chinakhov, who is under contract for over $2 million, to attend training camp in two months if no trade is finalized. The Blue Jackets are reportedly seeking immediate roster help rather than future assets in any potential trade. For now, Chinakhov's future remains uncertain.
