Chinakhov's Impact on Penguins

0:00For the NHL, it's March 13th. Here's what's happening. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an update. Yegor Chinakov has been a standout for the Pittsburgh Penguins since they acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 29th. The 25-year-old winger, a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft, has found his groove in Pittsburgh after early promise, but later. Struggles in Columbus. In his first 25-plus games with the penguins, he's delivered consistent production and energy. Before the trade, Chinakov faced challenges with injuries and ice time in Columbus. A back injury limited him to 30 games last season, and his minutes rarely topped 10 per night this year. He showed shooting talent, but could it maintain steady scoring, topping 10 goals just once in four full seasons there. He requested a move before the season, and Columbus ablies when it made sense for both sides. The penguins gave up forward. Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick, a price that raised.

1:05Eyebrows at the time. But penguins' general manager Kyle Dubas has a knack for these deals, and this one is paying off big. Chinakov has boosted the current roster while fitting into long-term plans as veterans like Sydney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin age. Since January 1st, he's second on the team with 19 points and leads with 11 goals. His ice time has jumped to nearly 15 minutes per game, and he's shown strong two-way play alongside Malcolm where their chemistry shines. With Crosby sidelined by injury, and Malkin suspended after the Olympic break, Chinakov has stepped up as a key impact player pushing for playoffs. Looking ahead, this trade looks like a win for Pittsburgh. As restricted free agent this offseason, Chinakov could earn a long-term deal if he finishes strong. He's proving to be the reliable piece the penguins need, now and for the future.