Why the Leafs should consider trading for Yegor Chinakhov

It’s no secret that GM Brad Treliving is looking to improve the Leafs’ forward crop and has been doing so through the trade route. The cap space opened up from Mitch Marner’s departure has allowed him to acquire Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua for marginal returns relative to what they are capable of because of the situation their respective former teams were in. There are certainly risks attached to them both, but the potential rewards if they pay off make it worth a gamble.

There is room for another forward to be added, and one that can become a factor in the top-six would be Treliving’s preference. He could bide his time and wait for one of the bigger fish to become available or buy low on a young talent who could reach their full potential in a different environment. This is similar to how the Florida Panthers were able to build themselves to two straight Stanley Cups, as they were able to unearth talented players while their value was low and mould them into key components of their roster.

Getting Chinakhov would fall in the latter category, and there are a multitude of reasons why the partnership could make sense for both sides.

His primary reason for the trade request was because of a lack of communication with Evason, and that issue should not emerge with Leafs head coach Craig Berube. The bench-boss is straightforward with his directions and players know where they stand with him, which goes a long way in building trust. That will go a long way in helping Chinakhov regain his confidence and thus propel himself to greater success.

His career to date has been riddled with injuries, so what better time than now to get acquainted with the Leafs’ doctors who are considered among the best in the NHL. Chinakhov’s back issues are reportedly behind him, but being with Toronto’s medical staff and getting exposed to their advanced regimen would go a long way toward helping nip the aching pains in the butt and in ensuring his career lasts longer.

Of course, there is an opportunity to grab a spot in the Leafs’ top-six where there is no shortage of elite players that can help elevate Chinakhov’s game to greater heights. An ideal outcome would be for him to get second-line duty alongside William Nylander, where there is potential for a strong partnership between the two and a playmaker such as Maccelli. Even if he doesn’t crack the top-six, there are enough strong players in the bottom-half of the forward crop that Chinakhov can still thrive on a scoring line.

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As for what it would take to acquire his services, the Leafs could make Nick Robertson the main piece going the other way. The forward put forth a trade request of his own last summer but ended up re-signing in Toronto before training camp. While Robertson was able to move on from the trade request as he made the NHL roster out of camp, he was unable to gain a strong foothold in the lineup and barely played in the playoffs. He has now elected for salary arbitration, which doesn’t bode well for his long-term future with the team given how messy the arbitration hearings can be.

There is a decent chance that Robertson still wouldn’t be opposed to a change of scenery, and perhaps the Blue Jackets could see some value in taking a chance on the forward. The Leafs may need to add a pick to the deal, but there is a world where both sides could be good with doing a one-for-one swap of disgruntled forwards in need of a new address.

All of which is to say that Chinakhov should be somone worth considering for the Leafs. There are certaintly some risk that would come with bringing him into the fold, but it’s one that Treliving should be willing to take.