Yegor Chinakhov had a succinct way of describing the first day of 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cA new page, a new year,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Chinakhov opened a new chapter of his NHL career as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.<\/p>\n
Acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, he made debut with the Penguins in Thursday\u2019s game against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena. A left-handed shot, he opened the contest on the right wing of the third line.<\/p>\n
Chinakhov physically arrived in Pittsburgh on Tuesday morning but was held out of the team\u2019s 5-1 home win against the Carolina Hurricanes that night to allow him to acclimate to his new surroundings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so excited,\u201d Chinakhov said. \u201cI watched the last game. They played pretty good, didn\u2019t they? I just want to help them win the games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chinakhov didn\u2019t win much in Columbus, having never qualified for the playoffs. Nor did he meet the expectations typically foisted upon a player with his pedigree.<\/p>\n
A first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 2020, he spent five seasons with the Blue Jackets, establishing modest career highs with 16 goals and 29 assists during the 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n
After an injury-filled 2024-25 season, Chinakhov requested a trade during the ensuing offseason, citing \u201cmisunderstandings\u201d with coach Dean Evason.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, he wasn\u2019t terribly eager to discuss his history with the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty hard times,\u201d Chinakhov said. \u201cJust hope everything is done. Just a new page.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to already forget everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penguins management seemed to remember the skill the 24-year-old offered as a promising prospect at the start of the decade, and that\u2019s what prompted Monday\u2019s transaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cReal high skillset, really good shot, quick release,\u201d coach Dan Muse said. \u201cYou could even see that there in the pregame skate today. He really gets it off when he gets a little time and space. He doesn\u2019t need much time and space, but if he gets into those areas, really dangerous shot. He can play with pace, play at both ends of the ice.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, coming into this game, he\u2019ll have a couple new linemates, new team. But I think it\u2019s just getting back to those things that drive his game, (have) shown that they can drive his game in the past, getting to good areas there offensively. And, yeah, I think just playing a fast, north game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chinakhov is eager for a quick start with his new team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty emotional,\u201d Chinakhov said. \u201cJust happy for that. Try to already be ready for the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosby remembers MacDonald<\/p>\n
How big a deal was Lowell MacDonald? <\/p>\n
Sidney Crosby thought he was a big deal since they were both from Nova Scotia and relatively few NHLers have come from there.<\/p>\n
Mr. McDonald was a two-time All-Star with the Penguins and part of the vaunted Century Line.<\/p>\n
RIP. https:\/\/t.co\/N7lbsf71K6<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jANEab4N1Y<\/a><\/p>\n