Yegor Chinakhov Opens Up On Report of Wanting Out of Columbus

Trade rumors had begun swirling around Yegor Chinahkov, after it was revealed that he hasn't been happy with his role with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His agent suggested that the young Russian wanted to find a better situation somewhere else. 

However, it's amazing what scoring goals in consecutive games can do for a player's psyche. Chinakhov has opened up about the situation, and made clear his intentions—that now do not include wanting a trade:

I like the city. I like the fans and my teammates here. I love it... Scoring goals helps you have fun, and everybody wants to score. I want it too, but I need more. It gives you a little confidence and you do feel better.

The 22-year-old even tied a season-high with five shots on goal on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens, while playing on the second line and scoring his second goal in two games, and 3rd of the season. But then illustrating the frustration that led to his agent's comments this past week, there he was on Friday night, back on the 4th line, getting just 9 minutes of ice time. 

But Chinahkov told the Columbus Dispatch that "his biggest source of frustration is struggling to meet his own expectations during his third NHL season."

His agent had said last Monday that "he doesn't feel they trust him, and he wants to leave. They don't understand how bad Chinny feels."

He's already had to overcome a number of injuries in his young career, which obviously helped feed into the frustrations, but the former first-round pick (21st in 2020) made it clear that he "isn't looking to be traded" according to beat writer Brian Hedger. 

Photo:Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports