The team is open to moving Chinakhov but general manager Don Waddell said it will do so only if it receives an acceptable offer, per The Athletic‘s Aaron Portzline.
Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babev, posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, appearing to quote the 24-year-old winger, citing misunderstandings with head coach Dean Evason last season and, as a result, wants to play elsewhere.
Portzline reported that Waddell said Chinakhov “couldn’t handle” being healthy-scratched from games when he returned from a back injury.
“When he came back, he was not the Chinakhov we were hoping he was, and he got healthy-scratched at the end (of the season),” Waddell told Portzline.
Chinakhov’s agent declined to provide a comment to Portzline.
Chinakhov played 30 games with the Blue Jackets last season, logging 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) and finishing with a minus-six. Columbus selected Chinakhov in the first round (21st overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
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