Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade from the team, citing conflict with head coach Dean Evason.
The Russian player announced his wish in a statement released Thursday on social media by his agent, Shumi Babaev.
“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,” Chinakhov said in the statement posted on X. “Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell reacted to the request in an interview with The Athletic.
Waddell acknowledged that Chinakhov “fell out of favor” with Evason. The GM added that he will continue to engage in trade talks with other teams but is looking for value in return.
“I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him,” he told The Athletic.
The Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov, 24, with the 21st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The past two seasons, a back injury limited the playing time of Chinakhov. In 2024-25, he posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games. The previous season, he tallied 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games.
Chinakhov has one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. He will earn $2.1 million.
“We are fully aware that there is an active contract in place, and if Yegor’s request for a trade does not materialize, he will continue to give 120 percent in fulfilling his responsibilities,” Babaev said in a separate social media post.
In 175 career games, he has 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) and a minus-42 rating.
–Field Level Media
