The Detroit Red Wings have three months to go before puck drop. General manager Steve Yzerman has emphasized the team’s need for another top-six forward and a top-four defenseman time and time again.
To solve one of these problems, Heavy.com has proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings trade with the neighboring Columbus Blue Jackets for a young Russian forward.
Red Wings acquire:
- Yegor Chinakhov
Blue Jackets acquire:
- Jonatan Berggren
Chinkahov, selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, requested a trade this morning. “I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade,” Chinakhov said via his agent, Shumi Babaev. “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.”
Last season, Chinakhov struggled with injuries, playing just 30 games. In that time, however, he managed a half a point-per-game pace, scoring seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. In 175 games with the Blue Jackets, Chinakhov has strung together 71 points in 175 games in a depth role.
The Blue Jackets, in turn, would acquire Jonatan Berggren, another forward in need of a fresh start. Berggren spent last season on Detroit’s bottom-six, producing 24 points in 75 games with the Red Wings. This trade would give both players a new opportunity with another organization, giving them a chance to prove themselves under a new context.
How Chinakhov Helps the Red Wings
The Blue Jackets drafted Chinakhov for his scoring touch and offensive game. While he hasn’t been able to put that together in the NHL just yet, he’s had to deal with a lot of turbulence with the Blue Jackets. In just five years, Columbus has gone through four head coaches. Having to constantly readjust expectations and play style would stifle just about any player, so it’s unsurprising to see Chinakhov struggle to adjust at the NHL level.
“Chinakov’s offensive impact his impressive,” EliteProspects said in their 2020 draft guide. He moves the puck quickly, supports the play well, and seems very aware of his options. His puck skills are high-end; he makes body fakes and quick cuts to force defenders to move their feet and open space. He consistently read opposing breakouts to intercept pucks.”
Expectations for Chinakhov in 2025-26
Having said that, expecting a major leap forward for Chinakhov might be a bit of a long shot. This trade is a low-risk, high-reward move. If Chinakhov pans out and becomes a consistent 50-60 point presence, he’ll make for a great addition to the roster. He’s shown the potential as a middle-six forward; all he needs is some consistency.
Chinakhov’s career high came in 2023-24, where he managed 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 53 games. To put that into perspective, Chinakhov scored just four points shy of Andrew Copp’s 2023-24 totals in 29 fewer games.
To top it all off, Chinakhov is just 24 years old. The average NHL player’s peak, according to the Washington Post, starts before they turn 29. Chinakhov still has plenty of room to grow. All he needs is an opportunity to start fresh.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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