NHL Trade Rumor: NHL Insiders predict Buffalo Sabres could trade for frustrated Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov

In the midst of the NHL's holiday roster freeze, NHL Insiders are predicting that the Buffalo Sabres could be a potential landing spot for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakov, who requested a trade earlier this season. As the roster freeze is set to expire this weekend, the Buffalo Sabres, with new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, can begin making moves to hopefully continue their recent run of success, and they are targeting to rope in Yegor Chinakov.

As per reports, the organization needs substantial changes and improvements to return to the postseason, as they are stuck in a more than decade-long playoff drought. For this, the Sabres have to make multiple moves and take bold action to get back on track for which they might consider trading Chinakov from the Blue Jackets.

Buffalo Sabres could trade for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakov

As the Buffalo Sabres are currently planning to bring significant changes to the team, they might consider Yegor Chinakov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. NHL predicts that Jarmo Kekalainen will actually be calling his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, as they could have a forward looking for a fresh start in Yegor Chinakhov.

Recently, Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic went through the profiles of multiple players who could fit into the team. For Chinakhov, Johnston selected the Buffalo Sabres, stating, "The Sabres have the draft capital needed to make a future-focused trade, but they also have young roster players who could be moved in a more traditional hockey deal.”


He further stated that, “Chinakhov is still viewed by some around the league as a strong candidate to break out if given a fresh start. His strength and speed are certainly attractive attributes. They’re the qualities that attracted him to Kekäläinen in the first place."

And indeed, Yegor Chinakhov’s trade could benefit the team as the forward has the skillset and potential to be a 20-goal scorer in the NHL. The 24-year-old has just three goals and six points in 29 games this season, but he's coming off of recording 15 points in 30 NHL games last season and a 16-goal campaign the year before.

As Kekäläinen is quite familiar with Chinakhov's game, the duo could be a perfect fit for the team, who could bring a significant change to the team. Now, it’s a matter of time to watch if they are really going to trade or this is just a speculation.

Also read: NHL Update: Toronto Maple Leafs add AHL’s Steve Sullivan as their assistant coach following the removal of Marc Savard | NHL News - The Times of India


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