Yegor Chinakhov is still a Blue Jacket.
After making a trade request public July 17 in comments a Russian media outlet followed by his agent posting it on social media, the injury-plagued left wing is back for another training camp in Columbus. Barring a suitable trade offer, he’s expected to begin the season with the Blue Jackets and could even stick around the whole year if not longer.
Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell has made it clear he’s not interested in making trades simply to appease a disgruntled player, especially one with Chinakhov’s potential. That means the proverbial puck is on Chinakhov’s stick.
“I told Chinny he’s an asset to us,” Waddell said. “It’s not the first time a player has asked me, in my career of more than 20 years, about being traded. This one just became more public. I (told him), ‘If there’s true value out there and it’s something we feel makes sense for our hockey club, I certainly will look at it.’ ”
If not, Chinakhov will stick around.
He’s in the final year of a contract that pays $2.1 million per season, will still be a restricted free agent when it expires and won’t gain unrestricted status until July 1, 2028. The Blue Jackets could keep him all three years if they want, so the best shot to gain a fresh start — if that’s still Chinakhov’s preference — is tied to his own performance and health.
“I told him (in the summer), when we talked, ‘If it doesn’t happen, you’ve got to come here and prove to the coaches and your teammates that you’re capable of being a good player for our hockey club,’ ” Waddell said. “I’ve told him and his agent that right now we’re considering him a Blue Jacket, and to make the best of it.”
That’s what Chinakhov is doing.
His biggest gripe leading up to the trade request was about usage in coach Dean Evason’s first season running the Blue Jackets’ bench. After starting out with a hot streak in a top-six role, a slump bumped Chinakhov to the third line before a nagging back issue sidelined him for 39 games (Nov. 29, 2024 to March 4, 2025).
After undergoing a back procedure in Russia during a two-week break for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face Off in February, Chinakhov made a brief and ineffective return to the Jackets’ lineup before sitting as a healthy scratch in 11 of the final 12 games.
That’s ultimately what prompted his wish to join a new team, which led to offseason meetings with Waddell and Evason. Now, with a new season starting, Chinakhov’s fresh start happened in familiar surroundings. He skated with Adam Fantilli and captain Boone Jenner on the first day of practice as a possible peek at the Jackets’ second line, and Chinakhov will play in the first preseason game Sept. 21 at Nationwide Arena.
A new opportunity has arrived.
“I just want to show on the ice what I can do,” Chinakhov said. “That’s it. I just try to be my best.”
As for the possibility of changing his tune about a trade, he’s staying open minded.
“I know everything here,” Chinakhov said. “I love the city, and my wife knows everything about Columbus, so I like this city and I love the fans here.”
He just hasn’t loved his role thus far. Evason is a strict adherent to ice time and roles being earned, though, so it’s up to Chinakhov now to change his situation, trade or no trade.
“When a player doesn’t play, he should always be upset, right?” Evason said. “If he isn’t, then we don’t want that player. Should he be upset that he didn’t play? Absolutely, and it’s fine to voice your opinion, but at the end of the day there’s some responsibility from us as an organization and there’s some responsibility (on) the player, as well. Hopefully, it’s a fresh start, it’s a fresh season, and we’ll just see where it lands here.”
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social