Reports: Blue Jackets deal F Yegor Chinakhov to Penguins for picks

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round draft pick, to the division rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, multiple reports said.

The Blue Jackets will receive multiple draft picks in the trade, the details of which have yet to be finalized pending a trade call.

Chinakhov, 24, is in his fifth NHL season since Columbus drafted him 21st overall in 2020. In 29 games this year, he has tallied three goals and three assists and was limited to a career-low 10:18 average time on ice.

Chinakhov's best season saw him tally 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games in 2023-24. Through 204 career games with the Blue Jackets, he has recorded 37 goals and 40 assists.

Columbus (16-15-6, 38 points) entered the week at the bottom of the tightly packed Eastern Conference, while Pittsburgh (16-12-9, 41) was not much higher yet on the immediate periphery of the playoff picture.