The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Yegor Chinakhov to the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 29, 2025, in exchange for forward Danton Heinen and two draft picks. Chinakhov, a 24-year-old Russian winger who requested a trade in July due to issues with his coach, will now join Pittsburgh. The move provides Columbus with added draft assets and organizational depth.
The trade, announced by Columbus general manager Don Waddell, sends Chinakhov—a first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft—to Pittsburgh. In return, the Blue Jackets receive Heinen, a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (originally from St. Louis) and a third-round pick in 2027 (from Washington). Heinen, 30, has been assigned to the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters.
Chinakhov recorded three goals and three assists in 29 games this season, totaling 37 goals and 77 points in 204 career NHL appearances with Columbus. He was a healthy scratch for the team's last two games. Earlier this year, his agent Shumi Babaev confirmed Chinakhov's desire for a change, citing misunderstandings with coach Dean Evason. "I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season," Chinakhov said in July. "Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here."
Waddell emphasized the mutual benefits: "This trade provides us with additional draft capital over the next two years and a good two-way player in Danton Heinen that will add to our organizational depth at the forward position. With regard to Yegor, we believe a change of scenery was in the best interests of both he and the club, and we thank him for his contributions over the past five seasons."
Heinen, a fourth-round pick (116th overall) by Boston in 2014, has 97 goals and 146 assists in 579 NHL games across four teams. This season, he posted one goal and one assist in 13 games with Pittsburgh before being a healthy scratch for four contests; in the AHL, he has six goals and 11 assists in 12 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
This marks Columbus's second significant forward transaction recently, following the acquisition of Mason Marchment on December 20 for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick previously obtained from the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets, last in the Metropolitan Division at 16-15-6, face the Ottawa Senators later that day.
