Blue Jackets GM Calls Out Yegor Chinakhov's Trade Request

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell did not see Yegor Chinakhov making a trade request this summer. Chinakhov's agent informed Waddell earlier this week that his client prefers to play for another team after he hasn't been able to get on the same page with the Blue Jackets' coaching staff.

The 2020 first-round pick stated he had a dispute with head coach Dean Evason that led to eventually wanting a change of scenery. While Waddell knows disputes between coach's and young players happen all the time, he's very surprised the player isn't open to making it work in Columbus.

I’m surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public,” Waddell told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. But I’m not surprised (about the trade request) because we’ve talked about it. He got back (from the back injury last season) and didn’t play well, and (Chinakhov and Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason) fell out of favour. I told (Babaev), he has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.

Chinakhov scored seven goals and 15 points in 30 games last season in Columbus. He missed most of the season due to a serious back injury, and once he made his return to the lineup, was in and out of the press box as a healthy scratch. 

“When he came back, he was not the Chinakhov we were hoping he was, and he got healthy scratched at the end (of the season),” Waddell said. “That’s what happens with guys. He couldn’t handle that.”

Chinakhov is under contract for next season at a $2.1 million cap hit, but by the sounds of it, will get his wish and be traded before the start of next season.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images