'It's All About the Coach': The Truth Behind Yegor Chinakhov's Trade Demand From Columbus Revealed

The truth is coming out about Yegor Chinakhov's request to be traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets, per new comments from his agent Shumi Babaev.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the verge of potentially losing one of their bright young players, as forward Yegor Chinakhov has requested to be moved.

Chinakhov, who was taken with the 21st pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, is allegedly comfortable in Columbus, but per his agent Shumi Babaev, the trade reques is because of a dispute with head coach Dean Evason.

(Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He's comfortable with this city. 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.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell indicated that it wasn't a surprise that Chinakhov requested to be moved.

I'm surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public. But I'm not surprised (about the trade request) because we've 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 favor.

I told (Babaev), he has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.

Chinakhov has played in 175 career NHL games and has 71 points (34G, 35A).