NHL Rumors: Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Pittsburgh Penguins

Seven teams made offers for Yegor Chinakhov

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: The Columbus Blue Jackets had initially wanted a player in return for forward Yegor Chinakhov, but he was only getting offers for picks, prospects or depth players who didn’t do much for him.

After the Blue Jackets gave up picks to acquire Mason Marchment, it change want and they were okay with recouping draft picks to move Chinakhov. More teams were interested as well, as more were happy to give up picks and not a roster player.

When they told teams they were okay with picks, seven teams made offers, according GM Don Waddell. The Penguins stepped up to a second-round pick and included veteran Danton Heinen. Waddell was okay with making a divisional trade, as he was more concerned with getting the best return and not worried about which team.

NHL Rumors: New York Rangers, and the Minnesota Wild

The Pittsburgh Penguins eyeing ‘high-potential young players’

Josh Yohe of The Athletic: The Pittsburgh Penguins have been stockpiling draft picks, and like they did when they acquired Yegor Chinakhov, they’ll use some picks to trade for young players with upside.

GM Kyle Dubas in an email, “No hesitation. We have a lot of draft picks and we need to use them to procure high-potential young players.”

The Penguins have their own first in the 2026 NHL draft, two seconds, and two thirds. Over the next three drafts, they have 16 picks in the first three rounds.

The Penguins are also loaded with salary cap space for next summer, with $50 million in projected space. They may not be in full sell mode at the trade, but they might move some veterans. They aren’t buyers yet.

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