NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs Among 5 Teams Checking In On Yegor Chinakhov

Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets forward shoots the puck during warmup

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for something to shake up their forward group, and for now, a shuffling of the lines will have to do. But according to insider Pierre LeBrun, speaking on TSN Insider Trading, the Leafs are among the teams checking in with the Columbus Blue Jackets on disgruntled forward Yegor Chinakhov.

The 24-year-old started the season with three straight healthy scratches, and has played an average of just 8:41 per game in the three contests he's played of late. He told the team early in the offseason that he would like a trade, but so far, nothing has come to fruition. That doesn't mean, says LeBrun, that the Blue Jackets aren't listening.

More and more calls coming on Yegor Chinakhov... The 2020 first-round pick of the Jackets, he asked for a trade because he was basically scratched from most of the late season run that saw the Jackets come so close to making the playoffs (last season).
There were 26 scouts at his first game last week against Colorado. Among the teams that we believe have checked in with Columbus include the Toronto Maple Leafs, who we know are looking for a forward upgrade.

5 teams making calls to Columbus on Yegor Chinakhov

LeBrun added four other teams that are keeping an eye on Chinakhov as well as the Leafs:

Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Buffalo Sabres
Calgary Flames

But none of those teams can expect the Blue Jackets to just give him away.

"The Jackets don't wanna just dump this guy because he's asked for a trade," LeBrun said. "They want to make a hockey deal. They're not looking for draft picks. And frankly, they feel they're just one injury away in their top nine from needing him in a meaningful way. So this is far from a done deal (that he'll be moved), but, more and more calls on him."

Chinakhov showed some promise in the 2023-24 season, his third year with Columbus, posting 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games in 15:10 average ice time per night. But he slumped to just seven goals and 15 points in 30 games last year, and has one point in his limited action in three contests this season.

As for the Leafs, head coach Craig Berube shuffled his lines at practice on Thursday, looking for a connection that works. William Nylander has moved up to the top line to join forces with Auston Matthews, hoping that gets the captain going. Bobby McMann was moved up there as well. Matthew Knies was situated on the second line with John Tavares and Matias Maccelli.