The Edmonton Oilers should consider pursuing a trade for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov, who has requested a trade from Columbus. The 24-year-old Russian forward is seeking a change of scenery due to "misunderstandings with the coach".

Why Chinakhov Could Be a Good Fit for the Oilers

• Fills a Need for Depth Scoring: The Oilers lost several depth forwards this offseason, including Corey Perry, Connor Brown, Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. Chinakhov, if healthy and developed, could become a high-end depth scorer.
• Offensive Upside: Chinakhov has a track record of offensive production, albeit with some inconsistency due to injuries. He has 34 goals and 37 assists in 175 career NHL games. While his points-per-game output dipped slightly last season, he has shown the potential to be a valuable middle-six forward who produces offensively.
• Defensive Asset: Chinakhov's analytics suggest he can be a strong asset on the defensive side of the puck as well.
• Age and Potential: At 24 years old, Chinakhov is still young and has room to grow. He possesses high-end instincts that make him dangerous in the attacking zone, along with the speed to get open and past defenders.

The Trade Landscape

• Chinakhov's Trade Request: Chinakhov's agent publicly announced his trade request, which was confirmed by Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell.
• Columbus's Demands: Waddell has stated that he is not willing to simply give Chinakhov away and will only make a trade if the Blue Jackets receive fair value in return. Columbus is reportedly seeking an immediate roster player in return, rather than futures or draft picks.
• Oilers' Cap Situation: The Oilers have limited cap space. Therefore, any trade for Chinakhov would likely involve moving out a player with a similar cap hit. Chinakhov's cap hit is $2.1 million.

Potential Trade Scenarios

To acquire Chinakhov, the Oilers might need to offer a package that includes a roster player and potentially a prospect or draft pick to entice the Blue Jackets. Here are a few possibilities:

• Mattias Janmark + Prospect/Pick: Mattias Janmark could be a starter for Columbus, but likely wouldn't be enough on his own. Adding a prospect or a draft pick could make the deal more appealing.
• Other Roster Player + Prospect/Pick: The Oilers could explore other roster players who might fit the Blue Jackets' needs, such as Max Jones or Josh Brown.

Considerations for the Oilers

• Injury History: Injuries have been a recurring issue for Chinakhov, stunting his development. The Oilers would need to assess his medical records and consider the risk of future injuries.
• Contract Situation: Chinakhov is currently under contract, which provides cost certainty for the Oilers.
• Competition: Other teams are likely to be interested in acquiring Chinakhov, so the Oilers may need to make a competitive offer.

Overall, Yegor Chinakhov could be a worthwhile target for the Edmonton Oilers. His offensive potential, defensive capabilities, and relatively low cap hit make him an intriguing option to bolster their forward depth. However, the Oilers will need to carefully consider the cost of acquiring him and his injury history before making a deal.