CRANBERRY — The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday afternoon, but since then, he has had exactly zero practices with his new Penguins teammates.

He arrived at the Penguins following the morning skate Tuesday and didn’t play in the Penguins’ resounding 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Penguins had a much-needed day off on Wednesday. Chinakhov’s first on-ice interactions with his new teammates were during the morning skate Thursday.

No matter, Chinakhov will make his Penguins’ debut against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night and wear No. 59. He will slot into the Penguins lineup on the third line in place of Ville Koivunen, playing beside center Ben Kindel and left-winger Rutger McGroarty.

“I think it’s Game 1 coming into an organization. I just want him to play,” said coach Dan Muse. “You (don’t) give a guy like that (too much) information, systems. You know, it’s one pregame skate. What we’re looking for is just to go out there and play, play his game, and work hard.”

Chinakov, 24, finally got his wish of being traded away from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The talented winger had been relegated to fourth-line duty and was playing only 10 minutes per game.

“It was a very hard time. So I just hope everything is done, and then just a new page,” Chinakhov responded.

Over the summer, he publicly requested a trade, but this soft-spoken Russian winger quickly dodged questions about his past or his relationship with Columbus.

“I tried to forget everything already. So, just a new page, a new year.”

This season, in limited work, Chinakhov had three goals and three assists in 29 games.

“I think just speed. I think he’s a guy who can skate and move, and obviously youthful energy and (get) an opportunity here,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

There is little doubt, Chinakhov is a plus-level skater and has a very good wrist shot.

Sidney Crosby

Team Canada was finally announced Wednesday. Crosby is the captain of the team, and his inclusion was announced months ago as part of the first six.

In true captain fashion, Crosby is not expressing too much excitement, but is already focused on winning gold.

“It’s come pretty quick. I think (the roster) is causing a lot of talk,” Crosby said. “So, it’s good to have the team made and be able to kind of focus on the things we need to do leading up to it, but yeah, it’s exciting to see the names on that list.”

Thursday will also be Penguins defenseman Kris Letang’s 1200th game. A feat only 14 other NHL defenseman have accomplished.

“Yeah, it’s pretty impressive,” Crosby said. “He takes a lot of pride and being able to play a lot of minutes and take care of his body, and those certain things that happen that are out of your control, but I think he does everything in his power to be able to be consistent and year after year.”

Tags: Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby Yegor Chinakhov

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