The NHL’s trade market has finally delivered an answer to one of its more persistent sagas: Yegor Chinakhov, once a promising first-round pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets, is headed to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal, finalized on December 29, 2025, sends Chinakhov to Pittsburgh in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick (originally from the St. Louis Blues), and a 2027 third-round draft pick (originally from the Washington Capitals). After months of speculation, rumors, and mounting frustration, both parties get the fresh start they seemed to desperately need.
This trade marks the end of a multi-year drama between Chinakhov and the Blue Jackets, dating back to 2023 when whispers first emerged about his dissatisfaction in Columbus. His agent, Shumi Babaev, confirmed that Chinakhov had requested a trade as far back as July 2025, citing “misunderstandings with the coach (Dean Evason) during the season.” Chinakhov himself was direct about his intentions, stating, “Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location.” Despite the turbulence, he made it clear that the NHL remained his top priority: “As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”
Chinakhov’s journey in Columbus was marked by both flashes of brilliance and stretches of frustration. Originally selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft—an eyebrow-raising pick at the time, as many draft experts were caught off guard—he spent five seasons with the Blue Jackets. Over that span, he played 204 NHL games, tallying 37 goals and 40 assists for 77 points. Injuries, however, were a constant companion, often derailing his progress just as he seemed to be finding his groove.
His best season came in 2023-24, when he notched 16 goals and 13 assists in just 53 games. The campaign began with Chinakhov on fire, scoring 7 goals and 14 points in his first 21 games. But an upper-body injury sidelined him for over three months, and by the time he returned, the Blue Jackets were deep in a playoff battle. Chinakhov struggled to regain his earlier form and was relegated to a diminished role. The coaching staff’s faith in him waned, and as the 2024-25 season began, Chinakhov found himself a healthy scratch, bounced around every line, and unable to secure a permanent spot in the top-six.
Despite his speed and a shot that many in the league consider elite, Chinakhov’s inconsistency and injury woes prevented him from becoming the cornerstone winger Columbus had hoped for. According to The Athletic, “He showed flashes of top-six winger potential but injuries and inconsistency limited his sustained success.” The Blue Jackets’ acquisition of Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken last week only increased the urgency to clear roster space and bring in fresh faces.
Columbus GM Don Waddell, who took the reins after Jarmo Kekäläinen’s tenure, acknowledged the complexity of the situation in a press release: “This trade provides us with additional draft capital over the next two years and a good two-way player in Danton Heinen that will add to our organizational depth at the forward position.” Waddell also expressed gratitude for Chinakhov’s contributions, saying, “With regard to Yegor, we believe a change of scenery was in the best interests of both he and the club and we thank him for his contributions over the past five seasons.”
Danton Heinen, the other player in the deal, brings a veteran presence to the Blue Jackets’ locker room. The 28-year-old forward has played 579 career NHL games with 243 points, including two points in 13 games this season. He’s expected to add depth to Columbus’s forward corps and was assigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL after the trade.
For the Penguins, the acquisition of Chinakhov is a calculated gamble by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. With Pittsburgh having lost nine of its last eleven games, the need for an injection of youth and offensive upside became apparent. Dubas, never shy about taking chances on talented players who have fallen out of favor elsewhere, sees potential in the 24-year-old Russian winger. As Penguins beat writer Josh Yohe put it, “On the surface, I like Kyle Dubas’ decision to trade for Chinakhov. For whatever reason, Chinakhov’s considerable potential hasn’t been reached in Columbus. But the fact remains that this is a big, talented, young player.”
Chinakhov joins a Penguins roster that’s in flux, with trade deadline decisions looming and speculation swirling about the futures of veterans like Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Dubas has stockpiled an impressive 34 draft picks over the next four NHL drafts, including 19 selections in the first three rounds—no team has more in that span. This trade, then, represents both a short-term boost and a long-term investment. If Chinakhov can tap into the promise that made him a first-round pick, he could become a fixture in Pittsburgh’s top-six for years to come.
Chinakhov’s resume isn’t limited to the NHL. Before coming to North America, he starred for Avangard Omsk in the KHL, tallying 10 goals and 7 assists in 32 games and earning KHL rookie of the year honors. He’s also represented Russia on the international stage, playing at the 2021 World Junior Championship and helping his country to a silver medal at the 2019 World Under-18 Championship.
As for the immediate future, all eyes will be on Nationwide Arena this Sunday, where the Blue Jackets are set to face the Penguins. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic—Chinakhov could suit up against his former team in his first appearance as a Penguin, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
For both franchises, this trade signals a turning of the page. The Blue Jackets, still reeling from a disappointing playoff miss and navigating the aftermath of roster changes, are betting on draft capital and depth to shape their rebuild. The Penguins, meanwhile, are hoping that a change of scenery will unlock Chinakhov’s potential and perhaps jumpstart a late-season surge. Whether this gamble pays off for Pittsburgh or serves as the fresh start Chinakhov has long desired, the hockey world will be watching closely as these two teams—and their newest players—write the next chapter of their stories.
