Yegor Chinakhov’s agent on trade request: ‘It’s all about the coach’

Yegor Chinakhov’s agent doubled down on the notion that the Columbus Blue Jackets’ coach, Dean Evason, is the reason the 24-year-old forward requested a trade.
“(Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He’s comfortable with this city,” Shumi Babaev said, per The Athletic. “But he’s not comfortable with this coach. It’s all about the coach.
“If you remember, (Chinakhov) started the season on the first line and he was fantastic. And then he’s on the third line, and that’s it. Third line. The coach doesn’t tell him anything. Why? Why would you do this? It should be something that should be (explained) about why he did this.”
Chinakhov requested a trade from the team on Thursday, citing conflict with Evason in a statement released on social media by Babaev.
“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 in the statement posted on X. “Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell reacted to the request in an interview with The Athletic.
Waddell acknowledged that Chinakhov “fell out of favor” with Evason. The general manager added that he will continue to engage in trade talks with other teams but is looking for value in return.
“I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him,” he told The Athletic.
The Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov with the 21st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The past two seasons, a back injury limited the playing time of Chinakhov. In 2024-25, he posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games. The previous season, he recorded 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games.
In 175 career games, he has 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) and a minus-42 rating.
Chinakhov has one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. He will earn $2.1 million.
Babaev did not appear hopeful about Chinakhov’s chances of remaining in Ohio, telling The Athletic, “I don’t think there’s any way he can stay in Columbus. I don’t see any way.”