Penguins Acquire Yegor Chinakhov from Blue Jackets
By Jason Shetler
p/c: Jason Mowry
The Pittsburgh Penguins made an interesting move on Monday, as they acquired Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Yegor Chinakhov. In return, Columbus is receiving veteran forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second round pick and a 2027 third round pick.
Chinakhov was a first round selection (21st overall) by the Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Draft.
During the 2023-24 season, Chinakhov was beginning to emerge; recording 16 goals in 53 games. However, it’s been a struggle since, as he’s put up just 10 goals combined with last season and this season.
Heinen had split his time with the Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. While with Pittsburgh, he had only one goal in 13 games played. Heinen has a cap hit of $2,250,000.
The Penguins will be taking a flyer on Chinakhov, who had been highly-touted in the Blue Jackets’ organization. Kyle Dubas managed to turn a liability in Heinen, along with two draft picks, which were originally the Blues’ and Capitals’ respectively, into a young forward that really needed a change of scenery.