The Leafs lost out on a potential top-six forward in a budget-friendly move after former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and the Penguins swooped in and acquired Yegor Chinakhov.
Chinakhov, 24, had requested a trade out of Columbus before the season began, but the Blue Jackets were waiting for someone to meet their asking price.
Dubas Uses Assets Leafs Don’t Have To Get A Deal Done
With the asking price for the 2020 first-rounder dropping to draft picks and a depth player, the Penguins and Kyle Dubas wasted little time in sending Danton Heinen, a 2nd round pick and a 3rd round pick to Columbus to force the trade through.
Yes, the Leafs have their second-rounders in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, but with the status of their first-round picks not confirmed yet, GM Brad Treliving was understandably reluctant to part with them.
Chinakhov skated in just 30 games last season for the Blue Jackets, posting 7 goals and 15 points, but has played in 29 games already this season as the team searched for a trade partner.
Unfortunately, the skilled winger has produced a measly 3 goals and 6 points in those 29 games – a far cry from the 16 goals and 29 points he posted in 53 games during the 2023-2024 season.
Leafs Almost Dealt Robertson For Chinakhov
In the off-season, the Leafs had once again explored trading Nick Robertson, but decided to hold onto him, and he is proving they made the right decision once again. It bears mentioning that while shopping him, the Leafs had held talks with the Blue Jackets about swapping the California native for Chinakhov, but those talks ultimately broke off.
At 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds, Chinakhov would have brought more size to the Leafs’ lineup, but given how Robertson has performed over the past two seasons, the Leafs have seemingly made the right choice to hold onto him.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily