The Boston Bruins are coming off a horrible season and are looking to quickly get back to the playoffs.
Boston has been active this offseason, adding more talent to the roster. But the Bruins could still use some more scoring, and NHL analyst Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News urges Boston to trade for Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“It’s fair to state that they still could use another skilled winger in their middle six before the season is here,” DeRosa wrote. “With this, they should seriously consider pursuing Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov… Given the Bruins’ need for more both more youth and skill, Chinakhov is precisely the kind of forward that they should be taking a chance on.
“The 2020 first-round pick has shown promise early on in his career. A change of scenery could help him take that next step and blossom into a true top-six forward… Ultimately, with the Bruins retooling, it would make sense for them to make a push for a skilled former first-rounder like Chinakhov,” DeRosa added. “When looking at the Bruins’ lineup, he could slot nicely on their second line and would also give them another clear option for their power play if acquired.”
Chinakhov was selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft by Columbus but hasn’t been happy with his role. He was scratched at times and could use a change of scenery. With the Bruins, he would have every chance to be a top-six forward and add more offense to the lineup.
Chinakhov recorded 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points in 30 games.
Chinakhov Requested Trade From Blue Jackets
After Chinakhov was a healthy scratch at the end of the season and was not getting a ton of ice time, he requested a trade from the Blue Jackets.
“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 on X.
Chinakhov could go back to Russia and play in the KHL, but his goal is to be traded to a team that will give him a top-six role. However, Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell says he won’t just trade Chinakhov just to trade him.
“I’m surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public,” Waddell said to The Athletic. “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.”
Chinkahov is entering the final year of his two-year, $4.2 million deal.
Bruins GM Believes Team is Much Better
Boston was one of the worst teams in the NHL last season, and Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney is looking to be much better.
In the offseason, the Bruins added Viktor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, Michael Eyssimont, Matej Bluemel, Alex Steeves, Sean Kuraly, and Jordan Harris. After the additions, Sweeney believes the Bruins will be a much better team next season.
“We were going to put together a competitive team with bringing some juice back (to Boston)… I do believe when you put the whole group together, what they’re capable of doing, we’ll score enough if we play the right way. And we’ll defend a hell a lot better. I expect our goaltending to be significantly better,” Sweeney said.
The Bruins finished the year going 33-39-10 and were fifth fifth-worst in the NHL.
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