Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has responded to the trade request from Yegor Chinakhov.
The former first-round pick had requested a trade, but now his agent has gone public with the request on social media.
“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,” Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev wrote.
After Babaev went public on the trade request, Waddell spoke to The Athletic and said he’s not going to trade Chinakhov just because he requested a trade.
“I’m surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public,” Waddell said. “But I’m not surprised (about the trade request) because we’ve talked about it. He got back (from the back injury last season) and didn’t play well, and (Chinakhov and Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason) fell out of favor. I told (Babaev), he has value, I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.”
Chinakhov was selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 NHL season but hasn’t been given a top role, which he wants.
Chinakhov is entering the second year of his two-year, $4.2 million deal. He recorded 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points in 30 games.
Blue Jackets GM Expects Chinakhov to be at Camp
Although Chinakhov has requested a trade, Waddell says he won’t just trade him because of it.
Instead, Waddell says he will do his due diligence and try and find the right deal. But, he isn’t going to force a trade.
“I ignore it,” Waddell said of the post. “I’ll talk to teams. I’ll continue to talk to teams. But him (going public) isn’t going to change my thinking on it. I have to have the right value. It depends on how many teams are interested and what teams are willing to pay. I can ask for whatever I want, but what’s the market? And if the market’s not good enough, he’ll be a Blue Jacket.”
If Waddell can’t find the right trade for Chinakhov, he expects the Russian to be at training camp.
“One hundred percent he’ll be (at camp),” Waddell said. “He’s under contract, making (over) $2 million. I’ve been through this before. If he comes back and says, ‘My agent tried to find me a different place, but I’m here and I’m going to play as hard as I can.’ … I’ve seen it a number of times, and usually it’s not an issue if the player shows up with the right attitude.”
Chinakhov has skated in 175 career games, recording 34 goals and 37 assists for 71 points.
Chinakhov Dealt With Injuries Last Season
Although Chinakhov isn’t happy with his role, part of it is due to the fact that he had an injury last season.
The injury hindered his play, and he ended up being a healthy scratch in 12 of the final 17 games.
“When he came back, he was not the Chinakhov we were hoping he was, and he got healthy scratched at the end (of the season),” Waddell said. “That’s what happens with guys. He couldn’t handle that.”
The hope is that Chinakhov will be healthy and hit the ground running to begin the 2025-26 NHL season.
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