The Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell announced today that the club re-signs one of their talented, young Russian wingers, Yegor Chinakhov. Columbus has built a nice stockpile of youthful, NHL level forwards, with plenty of talent, including a small group of Russians. Therefore, based on not only recent performance, but also being around guys you feel comfortable with, those things can really help you bring out your best. That appears to be exactly the situation Chinakhov and his teammates find themselves in. Also, his contract is a two-year deal.
SEALED THE DEAL 🙌
Chinny is locked in for two more years!
📝https://t.co/RLnk5JILYR@RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/rJIGZ1N45Y
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 21, 2024
Yegor Chinakhov Re-Signs an Extension With the Columbus Blue Jackets
For a re-cap of Chinakhov’s career thus far, he was a later, 19-year-old draft selection by the Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. That year they selected him 21st overall. Furthermore, he had a nice season that followed his draft selection, playing with Omsk Avangard of the KHL in 2020-21. He scored ten goals and added seven assists for 17 points in 32 games. That season was capped off with his club capturing the KHL Championship title, the Gagarin Cup.
The following season saw him come over to Columbus, and play a full rookie campaign of 62 games with the NHL team. He ended up with 14 points. However, since that season, he has been steadily developing. Over the course of his three NHL seasons thus far, he has 27 goals and 29 assists in 145 games played. At 23 years old, he’s looking to establish himself as a formidable, middle-six option in the NHL, and this contract gives him the opportunity to achieve that status.
As Yegor Chinakhov Re-Signs, What Does It Mean for the Club
Being apart of this Blue Jacket group is an exciting venture. With Don Waddell coming on board as GM, the club really looks to establish stability, and grow together into a playoff contender. They certainty seem to have the talent to do it. Moreover, Chinakhov wants to stay around with a fellow crop of Russian, young forwards that they can all grow together. Names like Kirill Marchenko or Dmitri Voronkov are both on very similar paths as Chinakhov. In addition, a couple Canadian forwards have high hopes as well in Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli. It just seems that will all the potential surrounding the forward group in Columbus, it is not a matter of if they will breakout, but when.
Main photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
