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Something about Pittsburgh's newest trade arrival is changing the Penguins
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Egor Chinakhov has hit Pittsburgh Penguins ice running, and Dan Muse is talking like he found more than a scorer.
When a coach starts hinting he's learning new things he «really likes,» that's usually code for trust building fast.
Muse was already praising Chinakhov publicly earlier this month after his first Pittsburgh goal.
The whole thing started with a pretty aggressive bet by Kyle Dubas.
On Dec. 29, the Penguins acquired Chinakhov from Columbus for Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.
The early returns have been exactly why you pay that price.
ESPN's game recap Thursday noted Chinakhov has three goals in eight games with Pittsburgh, and Pensburgh's tracking has him at three goals and one assist in those eight.
That's a big swing from how it looked in Columbus, where he had six points in 29 games and was even getting scratched.
NHL.com and TribLive both put those Blue Jackets totals at three goals and three assists in 29.
The «why» is pretty clear on tape.
Pittsburgh is letting him attack off the rush, and his best shifts come when he gets the puck wide, cuts inside late, and fires before the goalie's feet are set.
Chinakhov is still only 24, and he was the 21st overall pick in 2020, so this isn't some late-bloom fluke story.
NHL.com's player page and the trade report both underline that pedigree.
He's also affordable for what he can be.
Puckpedia lists his cap hit at $2.1 million, and NHL.com notes he can be a restricted free agent after the season, which gives the Penguins control if this keeps clicking.
Egor Chinakhov lifts Pittsburgh Penguins confidence
As a fan, it feels like the kind of add you notice instantly, because his shot changes how defenders gap up.
Muse's biggest win here might be unlocking the «non-scoring» stuff, the backcheck routes, the wall work, the willingness to reload and go again.
That's how you stay in a coach's good books when the puck stops going in.
If Chinakhov keeps stacking honest minutes, the Penguins don't just get goals, they get options for next year.
The next milestone is simple, keep the trust growing, and make this feel like a long-term fit, not a fun two-week heater.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 18|110 ANSWERS Something about Pittsburgh's newest trade arrival is changing the Penguins Has Egor Chinakhov already become a must-keep piece for Dan Muse and the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Keep him | 94 | 85.5 % |
| Wait more | 11 | 10 % |
| Flip later | 2 | 1.8 % |
| Unsure | 3 | 2.7 % |
| List of polls | ||