The San Jose Sharks have taken a nice step in the right direction this season. The Pacific Division club currently has a 17-17-3 record during the final days of December after winning only 20 games during the 2024-25 season.
With the Sharks showing clear signs of improvement, it would be understandable if they looked to add to their roster this season. This is especially so if a trade acquisition has the potential to benefit them beyond this season.
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In the most recent NHL trade matchmaker column for The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun urged the San Jose Sharks to pursue Columbus Blue Jackets trade candidate Yegor Chinakhov.
LeBrun writes:
“When teams called earlier this year, I don’t think Columbus wanted just a draft pick for Chinakhov. They wanted a player. But now that they’ve spent a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick on Marchment, they might be OK recouping a second-round pick for the 2020 No. 21 pick. It just so happens the Sharks have two second-round picks this year, their own and the Colorado Avalanche’s. And given Chinakhov’s age, he fits San Jose’s young group. And he’s the kind of reclamation project that could turn into a player. Why not if you’re the Sharks?”
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The idea of the Sharks acquiring Chinakhov is certainly intriguing. With the Sharks being a team on the rise, they could be an excellent landing spot for a player looking to break out like Chinakhov.
If the Sharks acquired Chinakhov, he would provide them with another talented winger for their middle six. In addition, due to his offensive skill, he could also work well on their power play if acquired.
With Chinakhov being a former first-round pick and only 24 years old, he could be a very good player for the Sharks to take a chance on. It will be interesting to see if they end up making a push for him this season, but he would have the potential to provide them with a bit more secondary offensive production.