The New York Rangers could take advantage of a failing relationship between Dean Evason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Yegor Chinakhov. Chinakhov wants out of Columbus, lowering his trade value, and GM Chris Drury should be there to steal him away from divisional rivals.
With the New York Rangers looking to contend in 2025-26, they need to scout the league far and wide for affordable depth. Here, they only need to look to the Columbus Blue Jackets within their own division.
Yegor Chinakhov is a disgruntled Blue Jackets player (who hasn't heard this one before) and is looking for a way out of Columbus. For GM Chris Drury, this immediately lowers his trade value, and the Rangers have assets to trade.
«I don't think there's any way he can stay in Columbus,» Shumi Babaev, Chinakhov's agent, told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline in mid-July. «I don't see any way.»
The Cost To Acquire Yegor Chinakhov
They could acquire Chinakhov and shore up not only the top six but special teams, too.
New York Rangers acquire: Yegor Chinakhov
Columbus Blue Jackets acquire: Brennan Othmann and a 2026 fifth-round pick
Columbus Blue Jackets acquire: Brennan Othmann and a 2026 fifth-round pick
Of course, no one said it was going to be cheap or easy, as Brennan Othmann and a Fifth-round pick would be going back in return for Chinakhov. Originally a 1st-round pick by Jarmo Kekaleinen. Chinakhov had appeared to be on a breakout in 2023-24, scoring 16 goals in 53 games with the Blue Jackets.
2024-25 would be hampered by injury, as he'd only score 22 points (7-15) in 21. 14 of which he scored after his return, and eventual scratch and demotion.
Chinakhov could easily slot in on the team's top-six and find more playing time as an excellent two-way forward.
«Any team in the NHL would say Chinny is a top-six player,» Babaev told Portzline.
Of course, he may have to fight with Mika Zibanejad or Will Cuylle for a spot in the top-six he covets, but he'd have more exposure here in a bigger market as well.
He could easily find a spot on the 2nd power-play unit, along with the third line to start, adding more firepower missing last season.
