Don’t confuse the Yegor Chinakhov request to be traded with a chance for your favorite NHL team to land a roll-of-the-dice, high-potential young player for next to nothing.

Columbus general manager Don Waddell has already been clear that he won’t move Chinakhov unless he receives full value for him. The 2020 first-round pick is still under contract with Columbus for another season, and they expect him to show up for training camp if he isn’t traded.

The Columbus Dispatch says Waddell is looking for an established player in return for a 24-year-old Russian who has scored 23 goals in 83 games over the past two seasons with Columbus. Much like the Detroit Red Wings, the Blue Jackets are looking to find a place in the postseason and Chinakhov is projected to own one of the team’s 12 forward spots going into the 2025-26 season.

Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ZT4KYkF9Lb

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 17, 2025

“Trading him would create another hole up front for a team that didn’t re-sign James van Riemsdyk (Detroit Red Wings), Sean Kuraly (Boston Bruins) and Justin Danforth (Buffalo Sabres),” Columbus Dispatch writer Brian Hedger wrote.

In other words, they are not looking to move him for a draft pick and a speculative prospect. Already there is a media speculation about Waddell using Chinakhov as one piece in a multiple piece offer to land a bigger name scorer.

Names in the trade market include players like Jason Robertson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Marco Rossi among others. PHN’s Dan Kingerski address a possible Chinakhov fit in Pittsburgh.

Chinakhov has asked for the trade over what he calls as a misunderstanding with coach Dean Evason. He scratched Chinakhov after he didn’t play well after he came from injury last season. Last season, Chinakhov posted seven goals and 15 points in 30 games for Columbus.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Former Red Wings employee Al Sobotka will get his day in court. Michigan Supreme Court refused to throw out his lawsuit,

Red Wings draftee Jan Bednar, now signed to play in Finland, hasn’t given up his chance to play in the NHL.

You will get to see Joe Veleno in a Montreal uniform in Detroit’s first game. The Red Wings will play the Habs in their first game. You can read all about it in Bob Duff’s story on the Detroit schedule.

Red Wings Extra

Still no word about which KHL team that former Red Wings player and NHL coach Gerard Gallant is going to coach. An announcement was expected this week.

Gerard Gallant is headed to Russia to coach in the KHL. Should be an announcement this week.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 17, 2025

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Former Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak retired. He also played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. Boston Bruins. 

New Jersey: James Nichols offers trade scenarios for Nico Daws. New Jersey Devils. 

Pittsburgh: Do the Penguins have interest in disgruntled Columbus forward Yegor Chinakhov or acquiring Carey Price’s contract? Montreal is looking to off-load that contract for the purpose of cap flexibility. Dan Kingerski explores those questions. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: Sheng Peng looks at whether the Sharks should be the team that takes on Price’s contract. San Jose Sharks.