<p>A former prospect is apparently seeking a new home.</p>



<p>In an interview with <a href="https://m.sport-express.net/hockey/nhl/reviews/egor-chinahov-intervyu-igroka-kolambusa-o-karere-travme-zdorovom-obraze-zhizni-i-matchah-zimney-klassiki-2343585/?_gl=1*1x4d6ov*_ga*YW1wLU0tTzFZSXJ0NlliVW15cVZOcFA4S3c.*_ga_FS2XVFFJRM*MTc1Mjc2NDU0Ny4xLjEuMTc1Mjc2NDU0OC4wLjAuMA">Russian media outlet <em>Sport-Express</em></a>, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/line-combinations">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> forward Yegor Chinakhov was asked about his contract status with the team. The 24-year-old is heading into the final year of his contract, a two-year deal with a cap hit of $2.1 million, and is set to be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.</p>



<p>While Chinakhov didn’t reveal any details, he mentioned that he wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with head coach Dean Evason. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-yegor-chinakhov-set-to-return-following-39-game-injury-absence">While Chinakhov missed time </a>during the 2024-25 season due to what was ultimately revealed as a back injury, he was also a healthy scratch a few times near the end of the regular season. The Omsk native was limited to just 30 games, tied for the fewest appearances in a single season in his NHL career. He scored seven goals and eight assists for 15 points.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="149"></div>



<p>In a post on X, it was made clear that Chinakhov would welcome a trade.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yegor Chinakhov:<br> I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location.<br>Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJacketsNHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/DQ1qU2oHFb">pic.twitter.com/DQ1qU2oHFb</a></p>— Shumi Babaev Agency (@BabayevShumi) <a href="https://twitter.com/BabayevShumi/status/1945855591697527112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<p>“I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now, I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location,” Chinakhov said, per his agent Shumi Babaev on X. “Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”</p>



<p>Chinakhov’s intentions clearly state that he would rather stay in the NHL, rather than return to Russia and potentially join the Kontinental Hockey League. However, last season has apparently left a sour taste in his mouth. So much so that a new destination would be welcomed by the former first-round pick.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="172"></div>



<p>In four seasons, Chinakhov has played in 175 games, scoring 34 goals and 37 assists for 71 points. His best performance came in 2023-24, when he recorded 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in just 53 games.</p>
