Blue Jackets finally trade Yegor Chinakhov: Are the Maple Leafs involved?
Photo credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Earlier this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs were looking to make a trade for Yegor Chinakhov, and now, the forward is finally on the move.
Yegor Chinakhov has not been happy with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, and it has become clear that a trade would be on the horizon in very short order.
In fact, the Toronto Maple Leafs were sniffing around on Chinakhov earlier this season and were even willing to part ways with Nick Robertson.
Of course, that never happened. In fact, this is probably good for the Maple Leafs, especially when you consider how Robertson has come alive this season.
Today, the Blue Jackets finally pulled the trigger on a deal involving Chinakhov, and as it turns out, the Maple Leafs are not involved.
Yegor Chinakov traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Instead, the forward is going to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for some draft capital. Chinakhov was the 21st overall pick back in 2020.
Unfortunately, he has not been able to get much done with the Blue Jackets. He only has six points in 29 games this season.
Considering Chinakhov's lack of production, it should come as no surprise that the Maple Leafs opted to leave the forward alone.
At the end of the day, they already have a logjam of forwards. Guys like Easton Cowan and Matias Maccelli struggle to stay in the lineup.
Had they gone after Chinakhov, he would have experienced a similar fate, and he doesn't seem like the kind of guy head coach Craig Berube would appreciate.
Now, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be getting a player who is a bit of a wild card. A guy who may or may not be a sure thing over the next few years.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 29 | 280 ANSWERS Blue Jackets finally trade Yegor Chinakhov: Are the Maple Leafs involved? Should the Toronto Maple Leafs have made more of an effort to trade for Yegor Chinakhov? | ||
| YES | 104 | 37.1 % |
| NO | 176 | 62.9 % |
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