A rumor was released today by Chad DeDominicis that the Buffalo Sabres are interested in right winger Yegor Chinakhov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In an article from January, I proposed a mock trade in which the Sabres should acquire Chinakhov in a deal for Connor Clifton.
Chinakhov is a young talent on the Blue Jackets whose skills are being overshadowed by other big names and top prospects such as Kirill Marchenko and Luca Del Bel Belluz. Chinakhov would be a great fit on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn. Chinakhov has a two-million-dollar cap hit, and the Sabres will retain him for the 2025-26 season as well, until he becomes a free agent.