The Pittsburgh Penguins should inquire about Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a very unique place. Reaching the end of the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin era, the era of the rebuild is on in Steel City. The team is reportedly open to moving nearly anyone in the hopes of building a new era, ideally under expected first overall pick Gavin McKenna.

This is the time for the Pens to make smart, future-focused moves – trading away older veterans for younger, skilled players who could enhance this team as it goes forward. With ample cap room and NHL-ready players to move, the team is in the ideal spot to capitalize on underutilized NHLers with high upside.

One player that makes a ton of sense for the Penguins right now is Yegor Chinakhov. Drafted in the first round in 2020, the winger made a name for himself in Columbus, appearing in NHL games just one year later. However, this just hasn’t worked out for him in Columbus, and he has requested a trade.

Who is Yegor Chinakhov, and why has he requested a trade?

The Russian forward looked to be a key part of the Blue Jackets’ young core when he was drafted as a surprise in the first round in 2020. However, when he started in the NHL in the 2021–22 season, it batted a number of eyes that the Columbus team managed to find an NHLer off-the-board in the first round who performed quite well. In 62 games, he had 14 points on a very weak Jackets team.

The following year, he played more time split between the AHL and NHL, appearing in fewer NHL games than the previous year. Still, in 30 games, he had 13 points, a massive improvement in his point-per-game numbers.

Then in 2023–24, his point totals more than doubled, jumping to 29 points in 54 games. An ankle injury, in particular, forced him out of the lineup for a stretch of the season, but he came back looking quite good.

This past season was a down season for Chinakhov. His production was down as were his minutes, and the season ended with back surgery at the time of the Four Nations Face-off. He ended with just 15 points in 30 games. Great production in a small sample, but there is clearly more to give from the young Russian.

He was outstanding when playing this past season with Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko, but he has topped out at about 15 minutes per night, and he clearly has more to give.

It came to light that he had requested a trade privately some time back, but officially came out publicly and requested one. Citing challenges with his coaches and the need for a fresh start, it is time for the Blue Jackets to find him a new home.

Would Yegor Chinakhov fit with the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Pittsburgh would make a ton of sense for both the player and the team. For Chinakhov, the Pens are a rebuilding team, giving him lots of opportunity to play heavy minutes, including lots of powerplay minutes. Sure, he will be behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the short-term, but he will almost certainly line up on the left side of one of the two, which has to be a special treat for any NHLer.

Chinakhov also played some of his best minutes alongside other Russians. He was outstanding playing with Marchenko this season, but the two of them formed a formidable line with Dmitri Voronkov down the middle. Imagine the chemistry he could form alongside fellow Russian Malkin? This could also be a great opportunity for Chinakhov to be mentored by Malkin, at least until and unless the Pens move him this season.

For the Pens, this is a smart gamble to make. Chinakhov is an underutilized player in Columbus, and at just 24, he has a lot of runway still to go in his NHL career. He’s got an outstanding shot and strong playmaking ability, which could complement a player like Malkin. He’s also a very decent skater and will keep growing his game as he ages.

Coming in at just over $$2M for one more season, this is an easy gamble for the Pens to take. If he turns out to be great, they have an exciting young RFA to keep under contract for the next few years as they rebuild, but if he doesn’t, the team can move him at the deadline or lose him for nothing at the end of the season.

Given how public his desire for a trade has been, the odds are that this will cost the Penguins very little. Smart money would suggest a mid-round pick will get this one done. With the team rolling in draft capital right now, one mid-round pick is not going to be missed by Kyle Dubas and co.

Given the upside and the cost, this is the type of move that Dubas should be all over. Expect the Penguins to be circling around Chinakhov until he is moved.