2 New Potential Penguins Trade Targets; Leave Sid Alone!
A new pair of potential Pittsburgh Penguins trade targets has emerged in recent days, but those targets could not be more different.
Thursday, Russian agent Shumi Babaev used X to air some dirty laundry, and that Yegor Chinakhov wants out of Columbus because of a disagreement with coach Dean Evason. The Columbus Blue Jackets rallied around the extraordinary tragedy of losing Johnny Gaudreau last August, the result of being hit on his bicycle by a drunk driver, to have a season that exceeded all expectations. They were in the playoff hunt until late in the season.
However, Chinakhov, 24, was not a large part of the Blue Jackets’ season, as a back injury kept him out of the lineup for 39 games, and the coach kept him out for more games as a healthy scratch. In total, Chinakhov only played 30 games last season, scoring eight goals with seven assists.
So, he wants out.
Perhaps the young Russian winger with elite hands and offensive skills would like to be a linemate of an old Russian center?
Chinakhkov, who was Columbus’s first-round pick in 2020 (21st overall), is the perfect kind of Penguins trade target. He’s young, his potential is enormous, his NHL game is still largely undeveloped, and now he is on the outs with his team. It’s the perfect fit.
The situation is not entirely dissimilar to that of Philip Tomasino, whom the Penguins acquired last November for a mere fourth-round pick. Of course, Chinakhov will cost a bit more than Tomasino as Chinakhov’s skill set and potential are more significant than Tomasino’s, but in 175 games, the 6-foot-1, 201-pound left-handed winger has only 71 points, including scoring 34 goals.
Columbus GM Don Wadell was straightforward in responding to the public trade request.
“When he came back (from injury), he was not the Chinakhov we were hoping he was, and he got healthy scratched at the end,” Waddell told The Athletic. “That’s what happens with guys. He couldn’t handle that.”
Wadell also admitted to talking to teams and knew of the request before it went public. However, he bluntly responded to the agent, “I’m not just going to trade him because you said to trade him.”
It would seem the situation is both rife with irritation and ripe for the picking.
Yes, Columbus is looking to build on last season, in which they went 40-33-9, with 89 points and only two points out of a playoff spot. And it would seem the Penguins both have a plethora of draft picks to trade for Chinakhov. Or, if Columbus wants to swing for the fences like Oneil Cruz teeing up a batting practice toss, the Penguins also have a few veteran assets available who could help their cause, including a three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, a goalie, or a bona fide scoring winger.
Trade Target #2: Carey Price
Hey, the Penguins need a starting goalie, right?
Actually, Price is on LTIR and effectively retired, but the Montreal Canadiens will carry the final year of his $7.5 million salary this season. On Sept. 1, he is due a $5 million bonus, reducing his paid salary to $2.5 million, and Montreal would greatly benefit by moving that dead salary off their cap structure.
Colleague Marc Dumont detailed the reasons it behooves Montreal to move Price off the books. It’s all about the Canadiens’ cap flexibility as they make a run at competing this season.
If the going rate to swallow about $3.5 million is a second-round pick, what is $7.5 million (with $2.5 million owed) worth? Perhaps about the same, if not a little more.
And there are only a couple of teams able to handle that sort of offload. The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks are both under the cap, but Anaheim’s desire to win, combined with small-market economic forces, probably takes them out of the running unless Montreal really pays up.
That leaves San Jose and the Penguins.
Enough Crosby Talk
Sidney Crosby can only say so many times and so many ways that he is not leaving the Penguins. Sure, there might come a moment over the next two seasons when things get so bad that even Crosby has to tap out.
It’s possible, maybe.
No, Crosby signed up for this. He knew the score, and general manager Kyle Dubas has made a point to be transparent with Crosby about the process. Despite some assertions to the contrary, we do know what Crosby is thinking. He has asserted numerous times that he’s here for the long haul.
After the talk mushroomed back in January, a line of reporters were waiting after a practice in San Jose to ask Crosby the question again. A Penguins team source pulled a couple of reporters aside (including PHN) to say–No. Crosby isn’t thinking it, isn’t considering it, he’s getting a little annoyed by it, so just save your breath.
Crosby has been asked the question so many times that the notoriously polite superstar began to roll his eyes at successive attempts.
This latest round of trade talk began with one tweet from a former player turned media person. It has not emanated from Crosby or his people. Granted, Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Talbot saying they hoped he would chase a Stanley Cup one more time, even if it meant leaving, didn’t help the matter, but they were speaking personally. And they also admitted, he’s never leaving.
The team has quelled the talk numerous times, and I was the brave fellow who apologetically asked Dubas–one more time–at the Draft if he could respond to recent trade talk, and the answer was a shrug and “status quo.”
Just like the 25-year-old jock strap that hangs in his stall on practice days, no matter how many rips and tatters exist, and how much better it might be for both for something new, this arrangement is permanent.
There’s nothing more anyone can say. If Crosby waffles or opens the door, then all hell can break loose. But until then, he’s been crystal clear.
Let it go.
Categorized: Penguins Penguins Trade Talk Pittsburgh Penguins
Chinakhov is intriguing to me. I am not going to hold my breath. That move is so on the radar that kyle probably doesn’t want to do it. Expect the unexpected with Mr. Dubas.
Certainly worth inquiring about. We need to add quality, more so than quantity. This is the major transition season, forward momentum required. Need to have Koivunen, McGroarty, Broz, Brunicke, and Pickering all gather a season of XP. Blomqvist should see 25-35 games as well. Then go after two or three free agents in 2026 who are complimentary to the roster and will help guide the 2026-27 team to the post-season.
The downside of picking up Carey Price’s dead contract for a draft pick is Dubas eats up most of the remaining $13.5M cap space which is bad for 2 reasons: It would limit his ability to retain salary on an EK65 trade. Dubas also wouldn’t be able to use the cap space to be the third team in a deadline trade to absorb cap space on a rental player for picks/prospects. Montreal should be in the playoff hunt and even a 1st round pick doesn’t get them another entry in the McKenna lottery. Unless we see a Rakell/Rust trade clearing… Read more »
I am against adding any dead cap hits. Keep the money open, unless they have to retain on Karsson, Jarry, and Graves if they trade them. I am the optimistic sort, I expect a quicker turnaround and would like to have cap space used to improve the team.
Don’t count on a Jarry or Graves trade this season. I think many Penguins analysts, writers, and fans misjudge Jarry’s value and performance. Dan, no offense, but I’m recommending he check out another site. (deleted)
As for Graves, with the new coaching staff and defensive system in place, there’s a real chance he could return to the form he showed in New Jersey and Colorado.
I agree with you on Graves and Jarry. I was speaking more from the mindset of keeping options(and cap space) open for more maneuverability.
I don’t think you are looking at the entire equation correctly. If the Pens trade Karlsson and retain $5M, they have $18M in cap space. Even if they took a contract back in the Karlsson trade for another $5M, they would still have $13M in cap space to take on the entire $10.5M cap hit for Price. If they move Rust and/or Rakel, and any of the older players, their cap space could still climb back above $10M.
Well said. Unless u get to the trade deadline and Montreal gets desperate, then I’d ask for a first plus more.
Is a swap of Tomasino for Chinakov a possibility?
I would think that Columbus would have to want more than Tomasino for him. Crazier things have happened
Obviously, you didn’t pick up on the sarcasm…
It is hard around here. I never know if people are being serious. Especially when it comes to trade proposals. If it was sarcasm, expert level 👏🏻
I’d say no because Tomasino already got his 2nd chance.
Cap space is a very valuable trading commodity. The Pens are rarely in the position to use it this way, but I say they take on Price’s contract if it merits a hefty return. Perhaps a first rounder or a second plus a B+ prospect would get it done?
Like that is sarcasm right? A 1st rounder to take Price? For 2 year off the books?
The article says the going rate for taking a 3.5 mill salary dump is a 2nd round pick. Price is 7.5. I was using that as a baseline. If they consider it 2.5 mill after his bonus, then maybe they can get a 3rd. At that point it’s not worth it.
Not sure I would use anything Dan says as a “baseline”. He thought POJ was a part of the Pens future a few weeks ago…
Dumba was a 2nd.
Hayes had two years remaining and netted a 2nd, then a 2nd and 3rd.
Glass was at $2.5 million and netted a third.
The market is pretty clear.
There’s always the fan blogs if you’re not happy here.
At least it shows I actually read the articles before I comment and don’t just spout off ignorant ridiculousness.
If Sid decides to leave to chase one more SC, best of luck to him and thanks for the memories! The return would surely set the team up for future success. If Sid wants to stay, as he has repeatedly stated, it’s great having you, man!
BrianX, is it possible to quantify/qualify the “return” for Sid? How many of the other 31 teams would be able to make an offer that would approach what Sid brings beyond playing hockey. Intangibles are typically overrated imo but I make an exception for Sid. How many draft choices, prospects or current players are there in the NHL that would equate to what our soon to be 38 year old icon brings to the table? Also, absent the personal connections he has in Colorado and Montreal where could he go that has both the potential to win the SC in… Read more »
I suppose my point is that it is his decision, I’m fine with whatever he chooses.
BrianX, you’re a better man than me. I’m too selfish to be happy if Sid goes off to fulfill his dream of another cup with another team. Sid’s jersey # 87 is also a magnet for me as I also was born on August 7th. (However, I was already in college by the time Sid’s father was born.) Regardless of all that I’m of an era when fandom was more than cheering for the uniform as the players became Pittsburghers due to their lengthy tenures. It may be an old fart’s boring sentiment but I can’t imagine Roberto Clemente having… Read more »
“Perhaps the young Russian winger with elite hands and offensive skills would like to be a linemate of an old Russian center”? NO. The old Russian center should now be a winger. 16 goals and defensive liability is not good characteristics of a second line center. We need a legit second and perhaps a 3rd center. We have none in the system. Jack Roslovic is still avail right?
Chinakhov got hurt and then fell out of favor with the coach upon returning. But for Columbus to say he “wasn’t the Chinakhov we were hoping he was and couldn’t handle being scratched” is embarrassing. Chinakhov had 15 points in 30 games yet the Blue Jackets continually trotted out Sean Kuraly (17 points in 82 games), Aston-Reese (17 points in 79 games), and Kevin Labanc (12 points in 34 games). Sure, you need 4th line grinders, but none of those players are better than Chinakhov. Then again, what do you expect from a poverty franchise that has 15 playoff wins… Read more »
Yeah, leave Sid alone while he sleeps through the back nine of his career . . .