PENGUINS PICK UP CHINAKHOV
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired winger Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a second-round draft pick in 2026 and a third-round draft pick in 2027.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins add a scoring winger with some upside in Chinakhov. The 24-year-old can produce offense but has been inconsistent at the NHL level. Injuries have also been a problem. He was seeing fourth-line winger minutes in Columbus this season, so a change of scenery was needed. Pittsburgh should use Chinakhov in a top-nine forward role, so he may be a good fit as they push for the playoffs in the second half of 2025-26. Both the second-rounder in '26 and the third-rounder in '27 dealt to Columbus were previously acquired by the Penguins in other trades.
What does it give the Columbus Blue Jackets
This trade was a long time coming for the Blue Jackets after Chinakhov requested a trade early on in '25-26. The recent acquisition of veteran winger Mason Marchment further cemented Chinakhov's fate in Columbus. The Jackets did very well here in bringing in solid picks in the next two entry drafts. As for Heinen, the veteran forward can be a serviceable depth player but has really struggled at the NHL level the last few campaigns. However, he should really help Cleveland (AHL) because he was a top scorer in the minors before his recall to Pittsburgh earlier this season.
Fantasy impact
Chinakhov has to get a boost from this trade, after being stuck on the fourth line in Columbus. He may not step right into a top-six winger role with the Penguins immediately, but expect him to get a look in some different spots and see power-play ice time. That could make him worth a speculative addition in many fantasy formats. Heinen can be safely ignored in all NHL fantasy formats, but pick him up if in an AHL fantasy league.
