The Montreal Canadiens are a young and skilled team. They boast the likes of Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson on their blueline. They also have Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov looking to make an impact up front. Despite this talent, they will be active in the market early on in the season.
Heavy.com has proposed a deal that would see them acquire Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The young forward will be a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets’ season opener on Thursday, October 9.
Canadiens Acquire:
- Yegor Chinakhov ($2.1 million)
Blue Jackets Acquire:
- Patrik Laine ($8.7 million)
This trade proposal would be a big deal for both teams. The Canadiens add a young winger who plays sound defensively, while the Blue Jackets can offer Laine a fresh start to facilitate a bounce-back season.
By adding Chinakhov, 24, the Canadiens receive a 6-foot-1, 203 lb forward. The Blue Jackets’ 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft recorded 15 points in 30 games last year.
In return, the Blue Jackets add Laine. The 6-foot-4, 208 lb forward was initially selected 2nd overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016. The 27-year-old recorded 33 points in an injury-shortened 52-game season last year.
The Latest Chapter in the Unfolding Yegor Chinakhov Saga
As of Wednesday morning on October 8, Chinakhov is projected to be a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets’ season debut.
According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, October 9.
“Dean Evason confirms Yegor Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch for Thursday’s opener,” Portzline wrote in a post on X. “Said he met with Chinakhov late in the preseason to make sure they were on the same page.”
Chinakhov Looking For New Start
GettyYegor Chinakhov
In late September, Chinakhov’s shortlist of preferred teams for a trade was revealed. According to Tem Lassila, two Western Conference teams are on the young forward’s list of teams he wants to be traded to.
“Per multiple sources, Yegor Chinakhov, 24 year old #CBJ Russian right wing and on a expiring $2.1m deal, has finalized trade demands,” Tem Lassila published in a social media post. “And #BlackHawks & #LetsGoOilers are in talking stages.”
Lassila accurately reported the length of Connor McDavid‘s new deal and when it would be signed.
While he is linked to the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks, it’s not unreasonable to think he would accept a trade to the Canadiens. They aren’t on the same level as the Oilers, but they will be considerably better than the Blackhawks this season.
Canadiens Are Eager & Ready to Improve Their Team
GettyCan the Canadiens pull off a trade for this underused player?
A recent report about the Canadiens reveals that they are poised to strike once the iron is hot. In fact, this is one of the reasons why they didn’t start the season with a full 23-man roster.
“The Montreal Canadiens are starting the 2025–26 season with 22 men on their active roster, one short of the NHL’s standard 23,” Marco D’Amico wrote on October 7 for RG. “It’s a subtle but telling move—one that hints at a front office focused not just on development and depth, but on financial precision.”
According to D’Amico’s source, the Canadiens are “waiting to pounce.”
“They’re positioning themselves to be ready to pounce on a trade target that’s made available at any point this season,” D’Amico wrote in his report. “Montreal is waiting for the market to shake loose. They have the trade assets, they needed the cap flexibility, and now they have that too.”
“It’s now a question of the right opportunity coming down.”
Adding a player who is starting the season in the press box will put them ahead of the curve. And that could be precisely what the doctor ordered for the Habs.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Canadiens’ Must Now Acquire Unhappy Forward With New Trade Pitch appeared first on Heavy Sports.