Columbus Blue Jackets trade Yegor Chinakhov to Pittsburgh Penguins

Monday, December 29, 2025 ,

The Columbus Blue Jackets have granted forward Yegor Chinakhov's wish, trading him off the roster to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2026 second-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, and forward Danton Heinen. TSN's Pierre LeBrun was first to report Chinakhov was on the move Monday.

Chinakhov, 24, is a former 2020 first-round pick of the Blue Jackets, but hasn't been able to land a consistent role with the hockey team. He's asked out numerous times and finally is on to the next chapter of his career in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are trying to re-tool on the fly and make their roster younger, and adding some untapped potential should build some excitement around the Pens' roster.

LeBrun has been all over the latest trade rumors regarding Chinakhov, and reported this just a few days ago:

Pierre LeBrun: When teams called earlier this year, I don’t think Columbus wanted just a draft pick for Yegor Chinakhov. They wanted a player. But now that they’ve spent a second-round pick...on Marchment, they might be OK recouping a second-round pick - The Athletic (12/26)

In 204 career games with the Blue Jackets, the Russian winger has scored 37 goals, and added 40 assists for 77 points. This season, Chinakhov was averaging just over 10 minutes of ice-time per game, down almost five minutes from last year. He's scored three goals and three assists in 29 games.

The Blue Jackets moved out two draft picks to land Mason Marchment, and now recoup some draft capital moving forward. Don't be surprised to see both of these teams making another move, or two, ahead of this season's trade deadline. 

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images 

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