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Dan Muse confirms the reason why Yegor Chinakhov's debut with the Penguins has been delayed


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Jack Sutherland
December 30, 2025  (8:27 PM)
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Penguins coach Dan Muse
Photo credit: WTAE

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse explained why the newly-acquired Yegor Chinakhov's debut in his new Penguins sweater has been delayed.

There's a new member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in town, and it's former Columbus Blue Jackets first round pick Yegor Chinakhov.
He was picked up by the Penguins for Danton Heinen and second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
But Chinakhov will not play tonight against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena and will have to wait until a later date to make his first Pittsburgh debut in his new Penguins sweater.
Per Penguins head coach Dan Muse, he arrived after the start of the pregame skate against Carolina and was able to introduce himself to his new teammates and get acclimated to his new surroundings, but wasn't quite ready to make his Penguins debut.
He got in after the pregame skate started, so want him to have a chance to get acclimated. Meet with the teammates, meet with the coaches, go over things, give him an opportunity here to get settled in and we'll go from there. - Dan Muse

The Blue Jackets Wished Chinakhov Luck In The Future

Not long after the trade was completed, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell wished the former first round pick luck in the future while at the same time welcoming new Columbus forward Danton Heinen.
This trade provides us with additional draft capital over the next two years and a good two-way player in Danton Heinen that will add to our organizational depth at the forward position. With regard to Yegor, we believe a change of scenery was in the best interests of both he and the club, and we thank him for his contributions over the past five seasons. - Don Waddell

Chinakhov was a healthy scratch for his last two games with Columbus.
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Dan Muse confirms the reason why Yegor Chinakhov's debut with the Penguins has been delayed

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