Yegor Chinakhov's agent publicly announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets forward has requested a trade, and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has confirmed that trade discussions are underway. Chinakhov cited "misunderstandings with the coach" as the reason for his desire to move to a different team. Waddell has stated that he will only trade Chinakhov if the return is acceptable. With that in mind, here are three potential returns the Blue Jackets should look for in a Yegor Chinakhov trade:

1. A Draft Pick and a Prospect

Given Chinakhov's current situation and contract status, a realistic return for the Blue Jackets might involve a mid-round draft pick and a prospect. Chinakhov is a former first-round pick, but his trade value is somewhat diminished due to his public trade request and inconsistency. He is signed through next season with a $2.1 million cap hit and will then be a restricted free agent.

A reasonable expectation would be a fourth or fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft, coupled with a B-level prospect who has some potential but is not considered a blue-chip player. This kind of return would allow the Blue Jackets to add to their prospect pool while also gaining a draft pick that could be used to select another promising young player.

2. A Young, NHL-Ready Player

The Blue Jackets could aim to acquire a young player who is closer to being NHL-ready in exchange for Chinakhov. This could be a player who has had some NHL experience but hasn't yet established himself as a full-time player. This type of player could potentially step into the Blue Jackets' lineup relatively quickly and contribute.

For example, the Blue Jackets could target a young forward who is stuck in a team's bottom-six or a defenseman who is having trouble cracking the lineup. These players often possess untapped potential and could benefit from a change of scenery and a fresh opportunity in Columbus.

3. A Package Deal for a More Impactful Player

Instead of trading Chinakhov in isolation, the Blue Jackets could explore the possibility of packaging him with another asset to acquire a more impactful player. This could involve combining Chinakhov with a draft pick or another prospect to target a player who could address a specific need for the team.

For instance, the Blue Jackets have been looking to add a right-shot defenseman. They could package Chinakhov with other assets to try and acquire a player who fits that description. This approach would be more aggressive and could potentially bring in a player who could make a more immediate impact on the team's performance.