Maple Leafs, Panthers, Red Wings Eye Trade for Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov

Trade interest is intensifying around Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, who has requested a trade after limited playing time and scratches. The Toronto Maple Leafs, along with other Atlantic Division teams like the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames, have expressed interest in acquiring the 24-year-old winger. Chinakhov, a 2020 first-round pick, has struggled for consistent ice time but demonstrated scoring potential in previous seasons, making him a viable option for teams seeking to bolster their middle-six forward depth. Columbus remains hesitant to trade him without a meaningful hockey deal, partly due to the team's injury vulnerabilities in their top nine forwards. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames are also exploring trade options to address their scoring woes, with general manager Craig Conroy actively seeking offensive upgrades early in the season. The Flames' potential moves may include trading key assets such as defenseman Rasmus Andersson or veteran center Nazem Kadri if the team's performance does not improve.