Penguins Trade for Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov, Full Return Details

Months after requesting a trade, right winger Yegor Chinakhov has finally gotten his wish.

The Columbus Blue Jackets sent Chinakhov to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday in exchange for draft picks.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet first reported the deal.

Chinakhov has appeared in 29 games for the 16-15-6 Blue Jackets and was a healthy scratch multiple times since the start of last season. He's produced three goals and three assists in an average of 10:18 of ice time.

The No. 21 pick in the 2020 NHL draft, Chinakhov explained over the summer that he didn't see eye-to-eye with then-first-year head coach Dean Evason, so he felt he needed a change of scenery.

"I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade," Chinakhov said in a statement posted by his agent. "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."

The Penguins have had similar struggles to the Blue Jackets this season, compiling a 16-12-9 record. The team had its best offensive performance of the year in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Monday's trade could be the perfect solution for Chinakhov to get back on track. He produced career highs of 16 goals and 13 assists in 53 games in 2023-24, so Pittsburgh will be hoping he can be a reliable contributor going forward.

The Penguins will be back in action on Tuesday against the first-place Carolina Hurricanes (23-11-3).