The first time many of even the most attentive NHL fans heard of Yegor Chinakhov was when the Columbus Blue Jackets made him their surprise first round selection in the 2020 draft. Already 19, he had gone undrafted the year before but was already making a splash in his first season in the KHL. He scored seven goals in the first month of play, and although the rest of the season was limited with injuries, he contributed five goals in the postseason as his hometown team Avangard Omsk won the Gagarin Cup. He also won the KHL’s rookie of the year award.
2021-22 Blue Jackets Player Review: Yegor Chinakhov scored some good goals; what’s next?
