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Blue Jackets GM Fires Back at Yegor Chinakhov's Surprise Trade Request
Photo credit: The Columbus Dispatch
Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakov recently requested a trade from Columbus, and GM Don Waddell said he's not going to accept just any offer to appease his player.
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell was surely blindsided when he saw Yegor Chinakhov ask for a trade this summer.
Through Don Waddell, it was recently revealed that the agent for Yegor Chinakhov told him the 2020 first-rounder wants a fresh start out of Columbus because he's unhappy with the coaching staff's decisions last season.
Chinakov could not see eye-to-eye with head coach Dean Evason
According to reports, there were conflicts between head coach Dean Evason and Chinakhov. The problem has seen the 23-year-old winger seek a new beginning on the outside.
Even though Waddell himself confirmed it is not unusual to experience conflicts between younger players and coaches, he was surprised Chinakhov did not wish to work out differences in Columbus, and revealed he will not force a trade.
"I'm surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public," Waddell told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. "But I'm not surprised (about the trade request) because we've talked about it. He got back (from the back injury last season) and didn't play well, and (Chinakhov and Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason) fell out of favour. I told (Babaev), he has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him."
Last year, Chinakov contributed seven goals and 15 points over 30 games but missed some precious time with a back issue. Healthy or not, he was a consistent healthy scratch and could not work his way into a daily roster spot.
"When he came back, he was not the Chinakhov we were hoping he was, and he got healthy scratched at the end (of the season)," Waddell said. "That's what happens with guys. He couldn't handle that."
Chinakhov is scheduled for one more year on his contract with a $2.1 million cap hit. More than likely, as it currently stands, it looks like he is heading for a trade come the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, although one won't be forced.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 82 ANSWERS Blue Jackets GM Fires Back at Yegor Chinakhov's Surprise Trade Request Will Columbus manage to trade Yegor Chinakov before the start of the season? | ||
| Yes | 56 | 68.3 % |
| No | 26 | 31.7 % |
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