When Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to add Yegor Chinakhov back in December, the hope was that Chinakhov could find his form and become the player that the Columbus Blue Jackets had hoped he would be after taking him in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. In his first 25-plus games in a Penguins jersey, he has done that and more.
Lead Up to Being Traded to Pittsburgh
After being selected by the Blue Jackets in 2020, Chinakhov made his debut for the organization in the 2021-22 season, and while in his time in Columbus, he did show signs of being the first-round talent they had hoped he would be, he struggled with being able to play a consistent game and produce. He was touted for his shooting ability when he was drafted, but could not seem to find his stride in his time with the Blue Jackets, topping 10 goals just once in the four full seasons he spent there.
Another aspect that limited Chinakhov was his struggles with injuries, including one that limited him to 30 games last season (a back injury). He did request a trade from Columbus before the season started, but Blue Jackets general manager (GM) Don Wadell made it clear that they would only make a move that made sense all the way around. After seeing his ice-time struggle to stay above ten minutes a night this season with the Blue Jackets, Chinakhov did get his request granted when the Blue Jackets sent him to the Penguins on Dec. 29 for Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.
A New Beginning in Pittsburgh
Dubas’ acquisition of Chinakhov was met with some surprise, given the price he paid for the 25-year-old winger, especially after seeing the struggles he had with the Blue Jackets. But the move has become another by Dubas, the Penguins’ lead man, that has hit and exceeded expectations. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Chinakhov has seemingly turned things around and has been one of the Penguins’ most consistent players in the 2026 calendar year. Since Jan.1, he is second on the team in points with 19, first in goals (11), and has seen his ice time jump from just over 10 minutes with the Blue Jackets to almost 15 with the Penguins.
What has stood out most in his time with the Penguins has been Chinakhov’s all-around play and energy. He is not just a player who will be a pure goal-scorer; he has shown a strong two-way game and showcased his playmaking abilities. He has been possibly the team’s best player and has shown the willingness to do more than just put the puck in the back of the net. On a line with Evgeni Malkin, the two have built great chemistry together and seem to feed off each other when they are on the ice together.
With both Sidney Crosby (lower-body injury) and Malkin (suspension) missing time over the past couple of weeks, dating back to the return from the Olympic break, Chinakhov has taken on an even bigger role for the Penguins and has proved he is up to the task. With the strong all-around play and the goal-scoring he still shows off, he has been a massive impact player for the team as they look to push for a playoff spot.
Chinakhov’s Proving to Be Yet Another Piece of the Future
The move by Dubas has worked out excellently for the Penguins and Chinakhov to this point. With the organization heading into uncharted territory in the future, with the likes of Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang all on the back end of their careers, Dubas has continued to make it clear that they will look to add players and assets to help the team. He has also made it clear that the players being added will not only help the future but also the current roster. That is exactly what he has done with the addition of Chinakhov, as his young age, upside, and current production lead people to believe he could very easily become another piece of the puzzle for the Penguins’ future.
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If Chinakhov can show that he can finish off the season strong and put up a fully consistent game, there is no reason not to believe he will not be offered a longer-term contract this offseason, as he is a pending restricted free agent (RFA). The trade to bring him to Pittsburgh could end up looking like one where Dubas came out on the right side if Chinakhov can finally live up to the expectations he had as a first-round pick.
