The Latest From Columbus on Yegor Chinakhov Trade Request

Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets forward, kneels during warmup

The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting set to head into training camp this week with no resolution on the Yegor Chinakhov front. According to Aaron Portzline in The Athletic, the Russian forward has not rescinded his trade request, and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is still open to making a deal. But it's certainly not set in stone.

This situation, aside from some comments by Chinakhov’s agent, has not reached a point of no return, and it certainly hasn’t become as acrimonious as some previous trade requests, like that of Pierre-Luc Dubois and, most recently, Patrik Laine.

In fact, Chinakhov was the first Russian player to return to Columbus last month to get in some workouts. But, says Waddell, “If he stays, we’d have to sit down and make sure everybody’s on the same page."

That would specifically refer to Chinakhov's relationship with head coach Dean Evason. The 24-year-old's agent made it clear this summer that his client had some... issues with his coach, leading to his trade request.

Yegor Chinakhov:
I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location.
Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/DQ1qU2oHFb
— Shumi Babaev Agency (@BabayevShumi) July 17, 2025

After a strong start to the season (14 points in 21 games), and a role on the Blue Jackets' top line, Chinakhov then missed three months with a back injury. His return to the lineup in March was a disaster, as he posted just one point in nine games the rest of the way, with a plus/minus rating of -8. He was a healthy scratch down the stretch, which, of course, led to the "misunderstandings" he had with his head coach.

This will be a situation to be monitored through training camp.