The Recent Jersey Devils needs to be all in favour of Yegor Chinakhov
James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now: Recent Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald needs to be looking to accumulate forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chinakhov’s agent posted on X that his client would welcome a trade after misunderstandings with the coach (and team).
Chinakhov missed 40 games last season with a back injury, and the player and team didn’t agree on the best way to handle it. Agent Shumi Babaev said that numerous U.S. doctors didn’t know the best way to fix it, and it took doctors in Moscow only 40 minutes. No surgery, something like a shot. He’s 100% able to go now.
Chinakhov began last season on the primary line, had the injury, after which his role was reduced to the fourth line.
The Devils haven’t really replaced Tyler Toffoli’s scoring after they traded him on the trade deadline in 2024. The Devils needs to be trying to buy low on Chinakhov. GM Fitzgerald had hoped that Dawson Mercer could have replaced Toffoli, but he’s looking more like their third-line center now.
NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers, and the Winnipeg Jets
Two seasons ago, Chinakhov scored 16 goals with 13 assists in 53 games, a 25-goal pace. Could he be a fit beside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt? He might be a 30-goal scorer if healthy and given the fitting role. It could cost an analogous price because the Utah Mammoth trading of Matias Maccelli to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a conditional third-round pick.
“Losing a player like Toffoli who makes a speciality of finding the back of the online will not be easily replaced. Fitzgerald named Dawson Mercer as a candidate to perhaps fill that void one yr ago. Yet, he’s looking increasingly like Recent Jersey’s best choice as a third-line center right… https://t.co/9gD4od6XWW pic.twitter.com/V5v9jMEAED
— Benchrates (@benchrates) July 28, 2025
The Buffalo Sabres needs to be all in favour of Yegor Chinakhov
Michael Augello of The Hockey News: The Buffalo Sabres must have their eye out for an additional forward, ideally a top-six, but those aren’t all the time easy to seek out.
One forward who’s in search of a change of scenery is Columbus Blue Jackets Yegor Chinakhov. He has asked for a trade. The 24-year-old has handled injuries throughout his 4 years within the NHL. He carries a $2.1 million cap hit this season and will likely be arbitration-eligible afterwards.
Sabres senior advisor Jarmo Kekalainen drafted him twenty first overall within the 2020 NHL draft.
NHL Rumors: What Led to the Trade Request by Yegor Chinakhov
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell lost some trade leverage when Chinakhov’s desire to be traded became public. Waddell might be in search of a player of an analogous age and has NHL experience versus a trade pick. Although he doesn’t have numerous NHL experience, the Sabres could offer prospect Isak Rosen (15 NHL games). It doesn’t seem to be the Sabres would offer a roster player for Chinakhov.
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