Yet another player suffering from disagreements with coaching staff in Columbus means another promising first round talent might well be making their exit from the team as early as this offseason. Former first round pick by the Blue Jackets Yegor Chinakhov will be a name on a lot of team's minds after requesting a trade yesterday, and his new home could be any across the NHL spectrum. A rebuilding young core? A veteran on the bubble team who could use a young top six winger? Or a full blown team in the hunt for the cup? Here are the three teams that could suit Chinakhov in each one of these situations.
Philadelphia Flyers
The new and improved Flyers under new head coach Rick Tocchet has already made some solid additions this offseason and could look to add some more. Bringing in Porter Martone via the draft, and Trevor Zegras via trade, Yegor Chinakhov could be the next on the list for Philly. The flyers' shaky group of top six right wingers include Bobby Brink, and Owen Tippett, and with what Philly are working with, a trade for Chinakhov could be made easy. Brink has not been the most productive or impressive player in Philadelphia so far in his NHL career, and a new bit of scenery in Columbus could mean a fresh start. For a player like Chinakhov, Brink along with some other assets could easily be enough to make a trade work, and including Chinakhov in this young, rebuilding core may just improve them that slight bit more, little but effective improvements.
The other reason Philly could be intrigued by the Chinakhov situation is young star Matvei Michkov, and his lack of Russian teammates. It sounds silly, but once a man named Jaromir Jagr suffered with the same issue, and proves that some homeland compatriots can elevate your game to new heights. And although Michkov has already impressed a lot in a Flyers jersey, teaming up with a fellow Russian could be interesting, and could squeeze out a bit more talent, and may put his comfortability in Philly at ease. A trade in which Philly would benefit by adding a young and still promising top six winger, and a move which could logistically improve others.
Calgary Flames
Last season it looked like the Flames were weighing up to be one of the most woeful teams in the league, but just missing out on the playoffs by a hair last year showed they aren't completely useless yet, and they could even be looking to add rather than sell this offseason, Chinakhov being an interesting asset they could really use. The Flames have obviously lacked scoring depth, and they have the cap space to make a smart move for a solid top six winger who fits perfectly into the rebuild at only $2.1 million AAV. Calgary who have shown some disappointment with Yegor Sharangovich may look to make a deal using their array of young assets and draft capital, to add some scoring and another bright spark to the cruising rebuild, and overall would be a smart payoff.
With an ageing offence, and a core which is deteriorating, Chinakhov can slot in anywhere across the top six, and be a solid goal scorer and playmaker as a depth player whilst those younger prospects have time to develop, and he is the perfect dynamic and versatile asset to add to a team who need a top six guy who has plenty to give, and is a very smart option who just theoretically fits well in the Flames system.
Minnesota Wild
The final team who may make a jump at Chinakhov could be the slowly improving Minnesota Wild. Minnesota had a rather solid end and start to last season, and had a solid playoff effort against Vegas, but their lack of scoring depth and issues along the bottom three lines showed their intentions to add winger depth across the bottom and middle six this offseason. And although the signing of Vladimir Tarasenko looks an interesting signing, he doesn't look like a guy who will be sticking around, and fellow Russian compatriots Chinakhov would be a much smarter option given their cap situation, and a clever deal given their ageing core up top. Again, at only $2.1 million per year, Chinakhov slots nicely into Minnesota’s cap position, and is unlikely to have a massive increase. But going forward, Hartman, Trenin, Tarasenko, and Zuccarello aren't showing any signs of ageing consistency or improvement as they get older, and an injection of youth is a clear need for Minnesota.
They have the assets, and have shown they are willing to be active in this year's trade market, so they will definitely be interested in Chinakhov's very attractive contract, and will be intrigued over what he could add for them going forward. With Kirill Kaprizov on the team, Chinakhov will feel right at home under his wing, and with a new beginning, Minnesota would be a great challenge to get some playoff experience, open new horizons, and potentially be a key asset in Minnesota in a couple of years. There is no team in the NHL who needs a smart and cap friendly winger like Chinakhov, and his current situation looks too perfect for the Wild to pass up on.
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