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Yegor Chinakhov takes a shot at former Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason


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Jack Sutherland
January 17, 2026  (6:41 PM)
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Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) is greeted by the bench after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third action at PPG Paints Arena.
Photo credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Yegor Chinakhov, who was acquired from the divisional foe Columbus Blue Jackets last month, took a shot at fired coach his old coach Dean Evason, who was fired this week.

Earlier this week, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a major change in leadership after GM Don Waddell decided that things just weren't going the way that they should.
The Blue Jackets fired coach Dean Evason and assistant Steve McCarthy, and announced the hiring of longtime NHL coach Rick Bowness, who most recently coached with the Winnipeg Jets in 2024.
Bowness was convinced to come out of retirement by Waddell, who called him while he was on his boat in Florida with his wife.
Current Pittsburgh Penguins forward Yegor Chinakhov, who played for Evason with the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Penguins last month, threw some shade at Evason with his comments of his firing by saying he wasn't surprised.
I don't know. I just saw the news, and I texted the guys and how they think about it. And, I mean, I'm not surprised. - Yegor Chinakhov

The Blue Jackets Fired Dean Evason This Week

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell fired both Dean Evason and Steve McCarthy, and released a statement saying their hockey this year just has not been good enough.
This season has been a frustrating one for all of us and the bottom line is we are not performing at a level that meets our expectations. We all share in that responsibility, me included, and while this was not a decision that was made lightly it is one that needed to be made at this time. Dean did a tremendous job last year under extremely difficult circumstances and I thank him for that. I also want to thank Steve for his commitment to our club over the past five years. - Don Waddell

Since firing Evason and hiring Rick Bowness, the Blue Jackets have gone 2-0.
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Yegor Chinakhov takes a shot at former Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason

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