Penguins acquire F Yegor Chinakhov, deal Danton Heinen to Jackets

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th December, 16:43 2025

Oct 16, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) passes the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) defends during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round draft pick, to the division rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

The Blue Jackets will receive forward Danton Heinen, a second-round draft pick in 2026 and a third-rounder in 2027 from Pittsburgh. Those picks originally belonged to the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals, respectively.

Chinakhov, 24, is in his fifth NHL season since Columbus drafted him 21st overall in 2020. In 29 games this year, he has tallied three goals and three assists and was limited to a career-low 10:18 average time on ice.

Chinakhov's best season saw him tally 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games in 2023-24. Through 204 career games with the Blue Jackets, he has recorded 37 goals and 40 assists.

Columbus (16-15-6, 38 points) entered the week at the bottom of the tightly packed Eastern Conference, while Pittsburgh (16-12-9, 41) was not much higher yet on the immediate periphery of the playoff picture.

Heinen, 30, heads to his fifth NHL franchise after building a 10-year career with the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks and Penguins. He was in his second stint with Pittsburgh after a midseason trade from Vancouver in February. He had one goal and one assist in 13 appearances this season and has amassed 97 goals and 146 assists over 579 career games.

--Field Level Media

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