With a record of 3-3-1, the season hasn’t kicked off with the momentum the Toronto Maple Leafs had hoped for. Historically slow starters, the Leafs currently find themselves 4th in the division, albeit with games in hand on a couple of teams. That lukewarm start, however, has not stopped General Manager Brad Treliving from working the phones to find ways to improve his roster.

A New Trade Target Emerges in Columbus

After reportedly shopping forward Nick Robertson for the past two weeks, the Maple Leafs have apparently zeroed in on a potential target. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs are one of two teams to “begin kicking tires” on a potential trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The rumoured target is forward Yegor Chinakhov, who has reportedly requested a trade at least twice.

🚨 The Maple Leafs are among the teams that have reportedly started to kick tires on Yegor Chinakhov, who requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets over the summer.

The 23-year-old winger was scratched for much of last season’s playoff push and has only appeared in 3… pic.twitter.com/vtMkAy8L32

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 23, 2025

Scouting Report: Who is Yegor Chinakhov?

Chinakhov, just 23, is a 6’3″, 203-pound left-winger from Omsk, Russia. He found himself scratched late last season while the Blue Jackets pushed for a playoff position and has only appeared in three games this year, being a healthy scratch for the remainder.

His potential is clear. In his third NHL season, he scored 16 goals and added 13 assists in just 53 games. Last season, he chipped in 7 goals and 8 assists in only 30 games.

Chinakhov brings a much-needed physical edge but also possesses the defensive abilities to take pucks away—a skill the Maple Leafs are lacking and could certainly use on the forecheck. In the past, Chinakhov has played sparingly on the penalty kill but does provide a power-play presence.

The Potential Fit: A Fresh Start for Both Sides?

In my opinion, this feels like the perfect situation for both Chinakhov and Nick Robertson to finally get their fresh start. For two players who both possess the ability to score at the NHL level, this could be an opportunity to play every day. The Maple Leafs would enjoy the addition of a much bigger body, as it is clear Robertson has lost favor with the coach.

The Complications: Health, Salary, and Assets

The biggest limiting factor in Chinakhov’s career so far has been injuries; he was most recently limited by a back injury that forced him to miss 39 games. If he were able to find health at the NHL level, the former first-round pick could find himself a great fit on a team’s second line.If the Maple Leafs are looking to make this trade, they should act fast, as the longer they wait, the further it could disrupt the team’s chemistry.

With so much at stake this year and so little draft capital remaining, the Maple Leafs will need to get creative. A deal will likely require additional assets heading to Columbus. The addition of a young forward with control could be of great value to Toronto, but Chinakhov is in the final year of a two-year, $2.1 million AAV deal. The Leafs would almost certainly have to find a way to send salary back in return to make the finances work.