Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov Bio
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov is a Russian professional ice hockey right wing who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 1 February 2001 in Omsk, Russia, Chinakhov was selected 21st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He developed his skills in Russia with Avangard Omsk before crossing to North America, where he established himself as a promising offensive forward despite challenges with injuries throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov was born in Omsk, Russia, a city with a rich hockey tradition. His father, Vitali Chinakhov, was a professional ice hockey player who was selected in the 11th round, 235th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, though Vitali never played in the NHL. This family connection provided Yegor with early exposure to the sport and laid the foundation for his own hockey journey.
Chinakhov grew up playing youth hockey with his hometown club, Avangard Omsk. He spent the 2018–19 season primarily with the team’s Junior Hockey League (MHL) affiliate, developing his skills against other young players in Russia. Despite his obvious talent, Chinakhov went undrafted in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, which would make his eventual first-round selection one year later all the more surprising.
Path to Professional Hockey
After going undrafted in 2019, Chinakhov remained in the MHL for the 2019–20 season, where he significantly improved his point totals, demonstrating the kind of development that NHL scouts look for in prospects. His strong performance caught attention, though he remained off most public draft rankings entirely.
At the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a surprising decision by selecting Chinakhov in the first round with the 21st overall pick. The consensus among scouts was that Chinakhov would be selected in the second or third round, if at all. NBC Sports notably did not have any footage to share of Chinakhov during their draft coverage, as they did for every other first-round selection. Despite the skepticism surrounding the pick, the Blue Jackets believed in his potential.
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov Career
KHL Debut with Avangard Omsk (2020–2021)
Chinakhov made his professional debut in the 2020–21 season with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He made an immediate impact, earning KHL Rookie of the Month for September 2020. During that month, he recorded three goals and two assists in nine games, averaging 11 minutes and nine seconds of ice time per contest. His 17 points in 32 regular season games led all KHL players 20 years or younger in points-per-game at 0.53.
The highlight of his KHL career came in the playoffs. Chinakhov added five goals and seven points in 21 postseason games, helping Avangard Omsk win the Gagarin Cup for the first time in franchise history. For his outstanding rookie season, he was awarded the Alexei Cherepanov Award as the KHL Rookie of the Year.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2021–2025)
Following his standout KHL season, Chinakhov signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on 2 May 2021. He scoring his first NHL goal on 15 November 2021, finding the back of the net against Detroit Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss in a 5–3 Columbus victory. He finished his rookie NHL season with 14 points in 62 games.
The 2022–23 season showed promise as Chinakhov improved his scoring rate to 13 points in 30 games. However, his progress was interrupted when he suffered a high ankle sprain on 19 December 2022, forcing him onto injured reserve. After missing 29 games, he was activated on 27 February 2023 and assigned to the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus’s American Hockey League affiliate. He finished the season with eight points in seven AHL games. On 4 April 2023, Chinakhov signed a one-year contract extension with Columbus.
The 2023–24 season brought more injury challenges. Chinakhov suffered a back injury in September 2023 and began the season on injured reserve. He was assigned to the AHL on 25 October 2023 and recalled to Columbus on 3 November 2023. Another back injury on 12 March 2024 caused him to miss the final 17 games of the season. On 21 June 2024, Columbus signed Chinakhov to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension, signaling the team’s continued belief in his abilities.
During the 2024–25 season, Chinakhov suffered another back injury on 27 November 2024 and returned to the lineup on 4 March 2025 after missing 39 games. During the 2025 offseason, he requested a trade from the Blue Jackets, citing disagreements with head coach Dean Evason.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2025–Present)
On 29 December 2025, Chinakhov was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Danton Heinen, a second-round pick in 2026, and a third-round pick in 2027. The move gave Chinakhov a fresh start with an Original Six franchise as he looked to establish himself as a consistent NHL contributor.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chinakhov is known as an offensive-minded right wing who plays with high energy and competes hard in all three zones. His skating ability and hockey sense allow him to create scoring opportunities, while his shot generation makes him a threat in the offensive end. His left-handed shot provides versatility in lineup construction, and he has shown the ability to play both on the power play and at even strength.
International Career
Chinakhov represented Russia at multiple international tournaments during his junior career. At the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he recorded one goal and two assists in five games, helping his team win a bronze medal. He followed that with a silver medal performance at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he contributed two goals and one assist in seven games. Chinakhov made his World Junior Championship debut at the 2021 tournament, playing five games as Russia finished fourth.
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov Career Highlights
Chinakhov’s career has featured notable achievements at both the junior and professional levels. His Gagarin Cup victory with Avangard Omsk in 2021 stands as one of his most significant accomplishments, while his KHL Rookie of the Year award demonstrated his ability to compete against older, more experienced players. In the NHL, his first goal against the Detroit Red Wings marked the beginning of his professional career in North America.
KHL Achievements
Chinakhov’s single season in the KHL produced impressive results. He scored 10 goals and recorded 7 assists for 17 points in 32 regular season games, then added 5 goals in 21 playoff games during the championship run. His performance earned him the Alexei Cherepanov Award as the league’s top rookie.
NHL Career Statistics
Through his first several NHL seasons with Columbus, Chinakhov accumulated 35 points in 92 games played. His best statistical stretch came early in the 2022–23 season before his injury, when he was on pace for a significant increase in production.
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Yegor Vitalievich Chinakhov comes from a hockey family. His father, Vitali Chinakhov, was a professional player who was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1991. While Vitali never played in the NHL, his experience in professional hockey influenced Yegor’s development and provided valuable guidance as he progressed through the junior ranks in Russia.
Personal Life
Chinakhov married his wife, Zlata, in 2024. The couple welcomed their daughter on 25 February 2026. Despite the demands of a professional hockey career, Chinakhov has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the rink.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season presented challenges for Chinakhov as he dealt with injuries for much of the campaign. After returning from a back injury in March 2025, he worked to regain his form and contribute to the Blue Jackets’ lineup. The season ended with his request for a trade, leading to his move to Pittsburgh in late December 2025. With the Penguins, Chinakhov has the opportunity to work with a different coaching staff and a new group of teammates as he looks to establish himself as a consistent scoring threat in the NHL.