Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Yegor Chinakhov shares a special moment with former teammate Kirill Marchenko in his return to Columbus
Photo credit: First Ohio Battery
Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov returned to Nationwide Arena today for the first time since being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and before the game, shared a special moment with his ex-teammate Kirill Marchenko
Last week, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Yegor Chinakhov from the divisional foe Columbus Blue Jackets, and sent Danton Heinen, a second round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and a third round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft back in return.
Today marks the first time that Chinakhov gets to play against his former team, as the Penguins visit the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Before the game, Chinakhov got to share a special moment with his ex-teammate Kirill Marchenko together by the team benches during the pregame skate.
Ex-Blue Jacket Yegor Chinakhov Kept His Attitude All Business Before His Return To Columbus
Chinakhov, who scored his first goal in a Penguins sweater in yesterday's 4-1 win in Detroit, was asked about his impending return to Columbus.
But he kept his attitude purely business and said that even though it would be an emotional return, his focus was on helping the Penguins try and claim two points.
It's (going to be) pretty emotional. But first of all, we need to win the game. That's it. - Yegor Chinakhov
After yesterday's win and scoring his first goal in a Penguins sweater, Chinakhov was presented with the team's postgame celebration steel workers helmet.
Before the trade to Pittsburgh, Chinakhov had six points (3G, 3A). He was taken by the Blue Jackets with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Pittsburgh Penguins suspend newly acquired defenseman Egor Zamula per insider report
Pittsburgh Penguins suspend newly acquired defenseman Egor Zamula per insider report
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 4 | 108 ANSWERS Yegor Chinakhov shares a special moment with former teammate Kirill Marchenko in his return to Columbus Are the Blue Jackets going to regret trading Yegor Chinakhov? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 88 % |
| No | 13 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||