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Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Penguins Winger Is Key to Success in the Playoffs

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Ryan Womeldorf | Last updated Apr 11, 2026 8:35 AM ET

With a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins erased years of frustration and showed that their surprising season was hardly a flash in the pan. Returning to the playoffs after three seasons of missing out, the mood in the Penguins dressing room is jovial.

The Penguins have found key contributions from unlikely sources, not to mention a rejuvenation or two. That said, one key piece of the puzzle joined the team midway through the season and has proven himself to be a valuable part of the team’s success. Yegor Chinakhov was once an afterthought but could be the key to the Penguins playoff hopes.

A Breakout Season

Long seeking a reclamation project, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas found his man in Chinakhov. The talented winger was struggling with just six points in 29 games, being relegated to a healthy scratch twice. At the cost of Danton Heinan, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick, Dubas brought Chinakhov into the fold.

Chinakhov responded like no one could have imagined. In 41 games with the Penguins, he has 18 goals and 36 points – both career-highs. Even more impressive is the fact that 30 of those points came at even strength, showing his ability to be a strong contributor during critical 5-on-5 play.

Though he flashed impressive talent during his time in Columbus, the jury was out on whether Chinakhov could finally put it together. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, he has found a way to consistently make an impact on games with his dynamic offensive abilities.

Providing Critical Secondary Scoring

Chinakhov’s importance to the Penguins is important for two reasons. The first, and most obvious, is his ability to drive play offensively. He has produced an impressive 6.3 goals above expected, better than players like Tim Stutzle, Connor Bedard, and Tage Thompson.

More importantly, he provides a bit of shelter for other secondary scoring options like Anthony Mantha, who is enjoying a breakout season of his own. It takes pressure off of guys like him, Rickard Rakell, and Thomas Novak, giving the Penguins the kind of scoring depth that has made them dangerous this season.

Wherever he plays, Chinakhov will demand attention from the opposition. If that frees someone else up to score a big goal, that impact will be felt even if it can’t necessarily be quantified.

He Can Slide Throughout the Lineup

One of the best things about Chinakhov’s game right now is that he can slide up and down the lineup. For the better part of the last month, he has been playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust on the team’s top line.

Egor Chinakhov, Pittsburgh Penguins (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

He can slot in fine next to second-line center Rakell as well. Wherever he has played, he has been an offensive driver for the Penguins. That versatility makes it tougher for opponents to lock him into a matchup that works in their favor.

On top of that, it also gives the Penguins the chance to freshen up line combinations and see what clicks best. That kind of versatility can be invaluable in the playoffs, especially when teams are keyed in on guys like Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Can He Make This Trade Look Better?

This trade already looks like a home run for Dubas and the Penguins. Though he will need a new contract at the end of the season, the Penguins have found a young, dynamic winger to play in their top six for the foreseeable future.

For a team that was well into a rebuild and likely watching its superstars skate into a disappointing twilight, this is the best surprise possible. If Chinakhov can help the Penguins win a series or more in the playoffs, the deal becomes even better.