Blue Jackets Rumors: Former First-Rounder Unhappy In Columbus

According to The Columbus Dispatch's Brian Hedger, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, told him that the young forward is unhappy with the club and is looking for a change. Here is an exact text from Babaev to Hedger on the matter:

"He doesn't feel they trust him, and he wants to leave. They don't understand how bad he [Chinakhov] feels."

#CBJ read ->

Voronkov says he's staying, Chinakhov may want out: 4 Blue Jackets takeaways from their Bruins romp ->
https://t.co/mTroESTuZl via @DispatchAlerts
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) November 28, 2023

Chinakhov unhappiness comes from the limited minutes he is receiving from Columbus. The skilled forward has primarily played on the club's fourth line this campaign.

Chinakhov was selected by the Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and is still looking to break out. In 12 games this season, he has two goals, four points, and a minus-5 rating.

We will need to wait and see if Chinakhov officially requests a trade from here, but it is clear that the chances of that occurring are starting to increase.