Latest news with #Chinakhov
Time of India
34 minutes 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!
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov requests trade after misunderstandings with coach
Greg Cote joins The Dan Le Batard Show to discuss how Connor McDavid remains the only player in NHL history to compile nine straight 90-point seasons without winning a Stanley Cup. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov, the No. 21 pick in the 2020 NHL draft, has requested a trade. Shumi Babaev, Chinakhov's agent, posted a statement from his client about his intentions on X on Thursday. 'I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade,' Chinakhov said in the post. '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.' Dean Evason was in his first season as Blue Jackets coach this past season. Columbus went 40-33-9 and finished two points out a wild-card spot. Babaev later posted that he has talked to the Blue Jackets front office about granting Chinakhov's request. Babaev added: 'I understand that Yegor's desire to be traded did not come out of nowhere.' The Russian forward has been plagued by injuries in his four NHL seasons, including missing 40 games last season due to back injury. He had seven goals and 15 points in 30 games. He has one season remaining on his contract. Chinakhov's best season was 2023-24, when he had 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NHL offseason tracker: Lukas Dostal signs; Maple Leafs, Canucks make trade
Most of the NHL's top unrestricted free agents have found homes. But there is plenty of action still to happen during the NHL offseason. There are trades to be made and restricted free agents to re-sign. Salary arbitration cases are scheduled to begin on July 20 and run through Aug. 4, though both sides often settle beforehand. Also, players whose contracts run out after the 2025-26 season are eligible to sign contract extensions at any time. Here is a look at the signings, trades and other news that have happened since the initial surge of movement in late June and early July: July 17: Ducks, Lukas Dostal agree to five-year deal Dostal avoids arbitration with his deal, which averages a reported $6.5 million a year. He gets a big raise from his current $812,500 average after establishing himself as the No. 1 goalie in Anaheim. That was further cemented when the Ducks traded goalie John Gibson to the Red Wings. Dostal, named to the Czech Olympic team, went 23-23-7 last season with a 3.10 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. He made 40 or more saves a league-best five times. July 17: Maple Leafs acquire Dakota Joshua from Canucks Vancouver receives a 2028 fourth-round pick. Joshua will likely slot in the Maple Leafs' bottom six forwards. He had a career-best 18 goals and 32 points in 2023-24 but missed the beginning of last season after having surgery for testicular cancer. He finished with 14 points in 57 games. He originally was drafted by the Maple Leafs but never played for them. July 17: Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov requests trade Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets, has asked for a trade. The agent for Chinakhov posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the trade request. 'I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season,' read the post quoting Chinakhov. '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.' Chinakhov, who was selected with the No. 21 overall selection in 2020, missed nearly half of last season with a back injury, an issue that also sidelined him for the final 17 games in the previous season. - Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch July 15: Sabres re-sign Bowen Byram for two years The defenseman will average $6.25 million in the deal. He was considered a candidate for an offer sheet but the Sabres reportedly filed for arbitration to prevent that. He ranked third among Sabres defensemen in average ice time and third with 38 points. The cap hit makes him the third highest paid defenseman on the team behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Who has filed for salary arbitration? The biggest names were Dostal and Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi, who set career bests with 27 goals, 34 assists and 61 points for the NHL's top regular season team. Two other Jets players filed. The full list:
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.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov requests trade after misunderstandings with coach
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov, the No. 21 pick in the 2020 NHL draft, has requested a trade. Shumi Babaev, Chinakhov's agent, posted a statement from his client about his intentions on X on Thursday. 'I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade," Chinakhov said in the post. "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.' Dean Evason was in his first season as Blue Jackets coach this past season. Columbus went 40-33-9 and finished two points out a wild-card spot. Babaev later posted that he has talked to the Blue Jackets front office about granting Chinakhov's request. Babaev added: 'I understand that Yegor's desire to be traded did not come out of nowhere.' The Russian forward has been plagued by injuries in his four NHL seasons, including missing 40 games last season due to back injury. He had seven goals and 15 points in 30 games. He has one season remaining on his contract. Chinakhov's best season was 2023-24, when he had 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games. ___
