A rumor was released today by Chad DeDominicis that the Buffalo Sabres are interested in right winger Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In an article from January, I proposed a mock trade in which the Sabres should acquire Chinakhov in a deal for Connor Clifton.
Chinakhov is a young talent on the Blue Jackets whose skills are being overshadowed by other big names and top prospects such as Kirill Marchenko and Luca Del Bel Belluz. Chinakhov would be a great fit on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn. Chinakhov has a two-million-dollar cap hit, and the Sabres will retain him for the 2025-26 season as well, until he becomes a free agent.
Chinakhov came off a breakout season in 23-24, where he had 16 goals and 13 assists. This season, it looked like he was going to easily break his point total as he had 15 points in 30 games. Then, a season-ending injury abruptly ended his season and his opportunity to make Columbus a playoff team.
I think the Sabres could send a 3rd or 4th-round pick to Columbus for Chinakhov. Chinakhov is a free agent at the end of the season and could be looked at as a solid rental for the Sabres. A mid-level draft pick should be more than enough for someone who is overshadowed in Columbus.
I don’t think the Sabres did enough in free agency, but I do think this could improve their offseason drastically. Jarmo Kekalainen was the one who brought Chinakhov into Columbus and would love nothing more than to bring him to Buffalo. It may seem like a small move, but Chinakhov could have the impact that Ryan McLeod had last year and be the missing piece in the Sabres' offense.