The San Jose Sharks currently hold the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, and a slight change of plans could be in store at the NHL\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n
While there are many players that the Sharks have been rumored to be open<\/a> to moving by the March 6th deadline, they might also be conservative buyers. To be buyers at the deadline, the Sharks will need to be in a playoff spot or very close to one. GM Mike Grier will also need to do some contract-count maneuvering to acquire more.<\/p>\n According to The Athletic\u2019s Pierre LeBrun, the Sharks could be the perfect<\/a> candidate to land disgruntled Columbus Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov. While the insider reports no specific interest from a team, the match between the Sharks and the 24-year-old winger makes sense.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen teams called earlier this year, I don\u2019t think Columbus wanted just a draft pick for Chinakhov. They wanted a player. But now that they\u2019ve spent a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick on Marchment, they might be OK recouping a second-round pick for the 2020 No. 21 pick,\u201d LeBrun writes. \u201cIt just so happens the Sharks have two second-round picks this year, their own and the Colorado Avalanche\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n After CBJ acquired Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken<\/a>, Chinakhov\u2019s place in the lineup once again gets murky. Chinahkov had requested a trade before the season, but nothing has come of it. The Blue Jackets have played the Russian winger all around the lineup, from the top line to even a healthy scratch.<\/p>\n Pierre LeBrun: Yegor Chinakhov asked for a trade before the season and that request hasn\u2019t gone anywhere \u2013 The Athletic (12\/26)<\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) December 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Chinakhov has played 23 games this season and has three goals and three assists. The San Jose Sharks are in desperate need of some winger help, and while Igor Chernyshov<\/a> has brought some impact quickly, adding a skilled 24-year-old might be just what the doctor ordered for the Sharks.<\/p>\n Adding a player like Chinakhov to the Sharks\u2019 lineup could be both an acquisition for the rebuild and a trade deadline add for a playoff push. While he hasn\u2019t scored much this season, Chinahkhov has shown flashes. During the 2023-24 season, the Blue Jackets winger set career highs in goals (16), assists (13), and points (29) in 53 games played.<\/p>\n Whether it is injury or just roster management, Chinakhov hasn\u2019t played a full season in the NHL. In his rookie year in 21-22, he played a career-high 63 games. There is still development to be done for Chinakhov, but the San Jose Sharks could be the exact fresh start he\u2019s hoping for with his trade request.<\/p>\n Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on\u00a0Sharks Hockey Digest<\/a>! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest<\/a>!<\/p>\n