Chinakhov Could Be A Candidate For Buffalo's Forward Needs

The Buffalo Sabres signing of defenseman Bowen Byram has for the moment stalled any hopes of GM Kevyn Adams bringing in a top-six winger to make up for the offense of the departed JJ Peterka. The unrestricted free agent market is devoid of difference makers except possibly 22-goal scorer Jack Roslovic, so the Sabres have to look to other avenues. 

On Thursday, the agent for Columbus winger Yegor Chinakhov went to social media to indicate that the 24-year-old Russian is looking to be traded. Chinakhov was a first round pick (21st overall) of the Blue Jackets in 2020, and has encountered injury issues and inconsistency, but the 6’1”, 201 lb. forward showed some upside in 2023-24, scoring 16 goals in 53 games.  

“I’m surprised (agent Shumi Babaev) went public, but I’m not surprised (about the trade request) because we’ve talked about it. He got back (from the back injury last season) and didn’t play well, and (Chinakhov) fell out of favor (with Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason). Columbus GM Don Waddell told Aaron Portzline of the Athletic. “I told (Babaev), he has value. I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.”

Chinakhov is in the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million bridge deal with the Blue Jackets, is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent in 2026 and two years away from unrestricted free agency, which would give a team trading for him the flexibility to qualify him and holding on to him for another year or not qualifying him next summer. 

He was drafted by Sabres Senior Advisor Jarmo Kekalainen when he was Columbus GM, which would give Adams more inside info on the winger. Although his injury history may be a concern, Kekalainen’s familiarity with him and a relatively low cost with a trade request made public might make a deal a risk worth taking.