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Egor Chinakhov's surge forces Penguins to rethink their entire offseason plan
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Athletic pushed the headline, but Egor Chinakhov's 13-12-25 in 32 Pittsburgh games is why this trade now feels bigger than a flier.
Chinakhov is 25, a 2020 first-round pick, 21st overall, drafted by Columbus. Pittsburgh bought that upside on December 29, 2025.
The price was Danton Heinen, a 2026 second, and a 2027 third. That is real trade capital for a winger with one clear swing skill, his shot.
The contract sharpens the bet. Chinakhov carries a $2.1 million cap hit, his deal expires after this season, and he is headed for restricted free agency.
That matters because Pittsburgh did not rent a middle-six body. Kyle Dubas grabbed a controllable scorer who can still fit next season's cap puzzle.
The hockey fit is plain. Chinakhov gives the Penguins more pace off the rush and a release that forces coverage to stretch wider.
That changes the look of the top six. It gives Sidney Crosby's line another direct shooter instead of one more touch-pass winger.
You can see that belief in the clip itself.
Egor Chinakhov is forcing Pittsburgh's hand
The mood around this move has changed fast. Fans are no longer asking whether Chinakhov can help, they are asking how high he belongs in the lineup.
His full season line sits at 16-15-31 in 61 games. Almost all of the heat came after the trade.
That is the real ripple effect. If Chinakhov is a true top-six hit, summer money can shift toward center depth or help on the blue line.
This also raises the pressure on every winger below him. Roster spots look tighter when a cheap scorer grabs one and runs.
Pittsburgh did not just find a hot streak. It may have found a young scoring piece that changes the next roster build.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Penguins keeping Erik Karlsson proves Kyle Dubas is playing the market correctly
Penguins keeping Erik Karlsson proves Kyle Dubas is playing the market correctly
| POLL | ||
MARS 24|80 ANSWERS Egor Chinakhov's surge forces Penguins to rethink their entire offseason plan Has Egor Chinakhov already locked down a true top-six role in Pittsburgh? | ||
| Yes | 77 | 96.3 % |
| No | 3 | 3.8 % |
| List of polls | ||