The Columbus Blue Jackets are gearing up for their 25th season in the NHL, and recent news and rumors are swirling around the team. Here's a breakdown of the latest:
Yegor Chinakhov's Trade Request
Yegor Chinakhov, a 24-year-old Russian right winger for the Blue Jackets, has requested a trade. Citing "misunderstandings" with head coach Dean Evason as the primary reason for wanting to move elsewhere. Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, publicly stated that Chinakhov desires a change of scenery due to these issues.
General Manager Don Waddell has acknowledged Chinakhov's request and has already begun discussions with other teams. However, Waddell emphasized that he is not going to rush into any deal and will only trade Chinakhov if the return is acceptable. He stated that Chinakhov "couldn't handle" being a healthy scratch after returning from a back injury.
Chinakhov is under contract with the Blue Jackets through the 2025-26 season, with a cap hit of $2.1 million. After that season, he will become a restricted free agent. In the 2024-25 season, Chinakhov played 30 games, recording 7 goals and 8 assists.
Several teams are rumored to be interested in acquiring Chinakhov, including the Chicago Blackhawks.
2025-26 Season Schedule
The NHL has released the full schedule for the 2025-26 season, which will be the Blue Jackets' 25th anniversary season. Columbus will start the season on Thursday, October 9, on the road against the Nashville Predators. The home opener will be on Monday, October 13, against the New Jersey Devils.
The Blue Jackets will play a total of 82 games, with 41 games at Nationwide Arena. 26 of those games will be against Metropolitan Division rivals, with 13 of them at home. They will also play 24 games against Atlantic Division teams, with 12 at home.
Key Matchups to watch: * October 29 and November 26 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs * November 13 vs. Edmonton Oilers * November 15 and March 19 vs. New York Rangers * November 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens * November 28 and January 4 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins * December 4 vs. Detroit Red Wings * December 13 vs. Vegas Golden Knights * December 18 vs. Minnesota Wild * December 31 vs. New Jersey Devils * February 4 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The months of January and March will be the busiest for the Blue Jackets, as they will play 16 games each month. There will be a break in February from the 6th to the 24th to accommodate the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Additional Notes
The Blue Jackets have re-signed defenseman Ivan Provorov to a 7-year contract extension. The team has also been working to improve their depth by signing Dysin Mayo.
