The trade market for Yegor Chinakhov appears to be heating up.
TSN's Pierre Lebrun reported on Thursday evening's Insider Trading that several teams are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, who requested a trade over the summer.
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Lebrun echoed that sentiment during the first period of Thursday night's game between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers.
"More and more calls are coming in (on Chinakhov)" said LeBrun, adding to previous reports that there were 26 scouts in attendance at Nationwide Arena for the Blue Jackets' game against the Colorado Avalanche last Thursday. That's an unusually high number for any time of year, but especially so early in the season.
"Amongst the teams that we believe have checked in with Columbus on him include the Toronto Maple Leafs, who we know are looking for a forward upgrade."
LeBrun also mentioned the Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames as teams that they believe have reached out to Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell.
But LeBrun cautioned that the Blue Jackets won't give away Chinakhov simply because he asked for a trade, something that Waddell said numerous times over the summer.
“The Jackets don’t want to just dump this guy because he asked for a trade; they want to make a hockey deal," said LeBrun. "They're not looking for draft picks and frankly, they feel they’re one injury away in their top nine from needing him in a more meaningful way.”
"This is far from a done deal."
Chinakhov has played in three of Columbus' six games this season, primarily on the fourth line.
He has one point (an assist) and is averaging 8:41 of ice time in those three games.
