Yegor Chinakhov Requests Trade from Blue Jackets
In Columbus, former first-round draft selection Yegor Chinakhov has officially sought a trade from the Blue Jackets, a decision confirmed by the franchise on Thursday following a social media announcement made by his agent, Shumi Babaev. Chinakhov’s dissatisfaction appears to stem from what he describes as “misunderstandings” with Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason during the previous season, leading him to express a desire for a change of scenery.
Agent’s Statement
Chinakhov’s agent indicated his client’s feelings through a post on X, relaying,
“I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”
General Manager’s Response
Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell, while acknowledging the trade request itself was not a surprise—having had previous discussions with Babaev—expressed astonishment at the agent choosing to share this information publicly. Waddell stated,
“I’m surprised he went public, but I’m not surprised about the trade request. He had a back injury last season and was unable to perform at his best, which strained his relationship with the coach.”
Chinakhov’s Performance and Injuries
In four seasons with the team, Chinakhov has participated in 175 games but has faced significant setbacks due to injuries, causing him to miss 109 games overall, including a considerable gap last season from a back injury that sidelined him for 40 games. Upon returning, he struggled to regain his form and was a healthy scratch for 12 of the last 17 games.
Waddell noted,
“He wasn’t the Chinakhov we hoped for when he came back. He couldn’t handle being a healthy scratch at the end of the season.”
Despite Chinakhov’s public trade request, Waddell emphasized that he won’t rush into a trade simply because it has been vocalized. He mentioned ongoing discussions with other teams but affirmed that the Blue Jackets are not looking to offload Chinakhov without a fair return.
Future Outlook
“The goal is immediate roster improvements, not just future potential,” he clarified. He also stated,
“I ignore the public post. My negotiations depend on how many teams show interest and their willingness to meet the asking price. If the market doesn’t meet our expectations, he’ll remain a Blue Jacket.”
Looking ahead, Waddell is optimistic that Chinakhov will participate fully in training camp and enter the new season injury-free, as he underwent a procedure for his back during the offseason.
“He’s under contract making over $2 million, and I expect him to be at camp—100 percent. If he shows up with the right attitude, having gone through this before, I trust it won’t become a problem,”
Waddell concluded.
