Yegor Chinakhov started slowly last year, going 0-0-0 in his first five games for the CBJ in November, but really took off once he was placed on a line with fellow Russians Kirill Marchenko and Dmitry Voronkov. Chinakhov put together a hot stretch around the December holidays of 12 points in 10 games as the Jackets found their footing, challenged playoff teams such as the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs, and generally put together some positive momentum as a club. On February 10, however, when Chinakhov was on a 14-10-24 in 39 games streak, he suffered an upper body injury and was in and out of the lineup for the rest of the year. Chinakhov was officially announced as week-to-week following an injury against the Montreal Canadiens on March 12 and was finished for the year.
Chinakhov was one of the brightest spots of the year, particularly on a team that struggled to score goals, yet his contributions were marred by comments from the head coach and how it related to his line’s play:
Heaven forbid any of the players on the roster play entertaining, offensively-focused hockey that results in goals scored and happy/entertained fans. Who would want that? Here’s hoping Chinakhov is empowered to be the player we saw extended flashes of next season.
2023-24 Stats
Games: 53
Goals: 16
Assists: 13
Points: 29
Plus/Minus: -3
PIM: 6
5v5 Corsi%: 53.5
5v5 Fenwick%: 53.2
Off Zone Start %: 58.5
Contract
Yegor Chinakhov is an RFA this offseason with a qualifying offer of $840,000. He had signed a 1 year extension from Jarmo Kekalainen, but now signing two of the three members of the Russian “Globetrotters” line will be a priority for whoever the team hires as its new General Manager. If not signed to a long term deal, according to CapFriendly, Chinakhov will be an RFA with arbitration rights next summer.
High Point
Yegor Chinakhov started his hot streak with a 3 point night (2 goals and 1 assist) in a home win over the St. Louis Blues on December 8, 2023. Chinakhov posted a 2-1-3 line, a 5v5 and power play goal, in 18:50.
Low Point
Chinakhov posted a 0-0-0 statline with just two shots on goal in 14:46 while also being on the ice for 3 goals against and a -3 rating in just 19 shifts as the Jackets blew a 2-0 lead at home to fall to the Dallas Stars.
Report Card
B: Chinakhov showed flashes of the goalscoring ability fans hoped for when he was drafted, he put together a hot streak with a line that looks sustainable as an offense-generating threat going forward, and he did so while fighting injuries and suffering from an insane minutes-limitation from a coach who wanted him to play a role that is not what his skill set lends itself to. Here’s hoping that, under a competent coaching staff with a coherent development plan, Chinakhov can continue his development into the goal scoring threat we saw in flashes this season.