Blue Jackets sign forward to one-year contract extension

Chinakhov was shockingly selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Prior to suffering an ankle injury on Dec. 19 against the Dallas Stars, Chinakhov had registered 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and 44 shots on goal in 30 games this season. He has tallied 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points and 142 shots on goal in 92 career NHL regular-season games since joining the Blue Jackets as a rookie in 2020-21. Following his return from injury, he was loaned to the Blue Jackets American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Cleveland Monsters. The 22-year-old has registered eight points (three goals, five assists), 27 shots on goal and a plus-4 rating in seven games with the Monsters this season. All three goals have come on the power play.

“Yegor has shown great improvement this season despite missing considerable time over the past few months due to injury,” said Kekalainen in a statement to the media. “He is a talented player with a great work ethic and desire to improve, and we are very excited about his future with the Blue Jackets.”

Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, the Omsk, Russia, product tallied 10 goals and 17 points in 32 games for Avangard Omsk of the KHL. He was named the KHL’s Rookie of the Year and notched five goals and seven points in the playoffs to help the club capture the 2021 Gagarin Cup. He also represented Russia at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships picking up one goal in five games.