NHL Trade Rumors: 2 More Suitors Emerge For Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov

Thursday, July 24, 2025 , ,
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov skates with the puck during 2025 game.

Yegor Chinakhov’s trade request has sparked speculation across the league, and two teams are possible destinations: the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils. 

Both clubs have clear roster openings and could benefit from a low-risk swing on a skilled 24-year-old winger with untapped potential. With Chinakhov entering the final year of his contract at a $2.1 million cap hit and Columbus reportedly open to moving him for a draft pick, the fit is worth examining from both sides.

Vancouver Canucks Have a Top-Nine Opening

Following the trade of Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks have a hole in their third line, and Chinakhov could be an intriguing option to fill it. Jacob Fraser of Canucks Army noted Chinakhov’s speed, size, and shooting make him an ideal replacement alongside someone like Nils Höglander. Despite questions about his defensive game, his offensive ceiling remains high, especially in a depth-scoring role.

With 71 points in 175 career NHL games, Chinakhov is a former first-round pick whose development has been stalled by injuries and inconsistent usage. He scored 16 goals in 2023–24 and could slot onto Vancouver’s second power play unit. 

A second-round pick may be enough to get the deal done, which is manageable for the Canucks, who also cleared cap space with the Joshua deal and are still looking to add a center.

Devils See Chinakhov as a Buy-Low Top-Six Candidate

In New Jersey, GM Tom Fitzgerald is still looking for a long-term replacement for Tyler Toffoli, and James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now believes Chinakhov might be the answer. His ability to both score and make plays fits perfectly with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. 

With Dawson Mercer potentially shifting to third-line center, the Devils could use a left winger with top-six potential, and Chinakhov, fully healthy again after a back injury, checks a lot of boxes.

There’s also familiarity in the locker room: Chinakhov shares an agent with newly signed Devils forward Arseni Gritsyuk and could learn alongside veteran Russian Evgenii Dadonov. With his current contract at just $2.1 million, the Devils could absorb him easily and evaluate his fit over the season.

If it doesn’t work, he’s an RFA with arbitration rights next summer. Like the Maccelli deal between Utah and Toronto, Chinakhov might only cost a conditional third or a second-rounder at most.

Photo Credit: Casey Gower-Imagn Images

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