Why is Egor Chinakhov so difficult to replace in the Blue Jackets’ forward line? – Hockey Writer – Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have recently begun playing a faster, more physical style of hockey, one that head coach Dean Evason has been known to adopt. However, one of the best Blue Jackets of late is a player not known for this style of play. Yegor Chinakhov and his wicked wrist shot have been the focal point of the Blue Jackets offense, which has been thriving as of late.
After a long offseason filled with rumors and questions surrounding his tenure with the Blue Jackets, Chinahoff appeared healthy to start the season. In mid-July, he formally requested a trade through his agent Shumi Babaev, and the Blue Jackets management began to find a solution for both parties. However, with his recent performance, the Blue Jackets have exposed Chinakov’s rising value and won both sides of the debate.
Yegor Chinakhov:
There were some misunderstandings between me and the coach during the season. Now I’m happy to be trading. I want to move to another place.
Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will continue to develop here @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/DQ1qU2oHFb— Shumi Babaev Agency (@BabayevShumi) July 17, 2025
Watching Chinahoff play the best hockey of his young career, you can’t help but see the argument for keeping him and want to see what the Blue Jackets’ young core can accomplish before splitting them up. Chinahoff may be an important piece of the puzzle.
His development from a questionable prospect at the end of the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft to now looking like one of the top players that contenders could try to add shows his potential. He has deficiencies in puck defense, but so do some of the top offensive players in the world. If his offensive prowess can lead the Blue Jackets anywhere, you’d be hard-pressed to see him being traded anywhere.
Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ZT4KYkF9Lb
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 17, 2025
It doesn’t hurt the Blue Jackets that much that Chinahoff is currently underpaid, but his offensive upside provides a spark in games that keeps the team going. His first goal of the season came Saturday night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins, giving the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead early in the third period that they eventually won in a shootout.
However, that’s not the only offensive brilliance Zinakhov has shown this season. He’s one of the main reasons the Blue Jackets currently rank third in the league in expected goals per 60 minutes.
5v5 xGoals per 60 – October 26 pic.twitter.com/K9KEZe1yzG
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) October 26, 2025
With obvious production, the Blue Jackets have reason to want to work with one of their homegrown players in terms of draft capital. Trading Chinahoff is unlikely to return the type of talent that will allow the Blue Jackets to compete this season, nor the type of player that fills any current needs.
Evason will continue to get his offensive players on the floor, and this mentality of not tying those players down or trying to limit them by playing within the confines of a system that doesn’t suit their game is one of the differentiating factors between Evason and previous coaches in the Blue Jackets’ recent history.
Chinny unleashes a move and we take the lead 💥
ikB @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/RAJXNYMe02
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 26, 2025
What must Chinahoff do next?
The most important thing Chinahoff needs to do in order to maintain his spot among the talented forward corps is continue to play his style of hockey. He can’t let the flow of the game dictate how he attacks teams. What makes him so dangerous is his ability to create out of thin air, which I believe is what the Blue Jackets lack without him.
He wasn’t asked to serve as coordinator, but placing him on the forward line with Zach Aston-Reese and Isaac Lundstrom gave him enough space to play a dangerous offensive style knowing he had two forward partners willing to back him up.
The defensive line the Blue Jackets fielded against the Penguins was one of their most complete and efficient this season. This gave the Blue Jackets a good chance to win, and the team did just that.
And, I think the transcript from this game clearly shows how balanced the Blue Jackets’ offense is and how impactful Chinahoff’s individual offense is. He’s having one of his best games, and due to his unique and difficult throws, he’ll be a guy moving forward and will likely have special teams work added to his responsibilities.
Contribution Report Card | Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Full report and advanced statistics: https://t.co/KubrUhlFeP#CBJ #NHL #hockeyx pic.twitter.com/q4ztDgfezT
— Benchrates (@benchrates) October 26, 2025
Keep an eye out for Chinahoff’s offensive firepower in Columbus – this could be just the beginning for one of the Blue Jackets’ rising stars to find his feet on a team that could exceed expectations this season.
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