On Monday afternoon, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Yegor Chinakhov to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and Danton Heinen.

Pittsburgh Penguins

@penguins

·Follow

The Penguins have acquired forward Yegor Chinakhov from the @BlueJacketsNHL in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick, and a 2027 third-round draft pick. Details: pens.pe/44OgsL6

Graphic with photos of Yegor Chinakhov and Danton Heinen and text that shows the trade with the Blue Jackets and Penguins.

9:00 PM · Dec 29, 2025

1.1K

Read 103 replies

Chinakhov was drafted 21st overall by the Blue Jackets in 2020. He made his debut in 2021-22, scoring seven goals and 14 points in 62 games, followed by four goals and 13 points in 30 games in 2022-23. The winger’s best season in the National Hockey League came in 2023-24, as the Omsk, Russia native scored 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games.

Much of his 2024-25 season was spent in the press box, but when he was on the ice, Chinakhov scored seven goals and 15 points in 30 games. So far through 29 games in 2025-26, Chinakhov has three goals and six points.

Heinen is the other player involved in the trade. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by the Boston Bruins, the Langley, British Columbia native has spent time with the Bruins (for two stints), Anaheim Ducks, Penguins (for two stints) and his hometown Vancouver Canucks. His career-best season was in rookie campaign back in 2017-18, when he scored 16 goals and 47 points in 77 games.

Heinen has reached the 15-goal plateau three times in his career and the 30-point mark four times in his career.

Mathew Barzal fined $5,000

Speaking of the Blue Jackets, they most recently played the New York Islanders, and there was a bit of a kerfuffle. Early in the second period of Sunday evening’s game, Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment clipped rookie defenceman Matthew Schaefer. A few seconds later, Mathew Barzal slashed Marchment on the top of his laces.

B/R Open Ice

@BR_OpenIce

·Follow

Marchment tripped Schaefer and Barzal was NOT having it slashing him in response. CHAOS in Columbus right now.

Watch on X

11:21 PM · Dec 28, 2025

4.4K

Read 163 replies

Well, on Monday afternoon, it was reported that Barzal would only be fined $5,000, with no suspension coming from either player.

Marchment was acquired by the Blue Jackets shortly before the holiday roster freeze. In his three games with the Blue Jackets, Marchment has three goals and four points, along with eight penalty minutes. He’s always played with an edge, although has never been suspended, only fined.

Barzal is in the same boat. After the slash, he received a five minute major and a game misconduct. While he hasn’t been suspended, Barzal has been fined quite a handful of times throughout his NHL career. So far this season, Barzal has 10 goals and 29 points in 38 games.

Hurricanes claim Noah Philp

With the roster freeze ending on Sunday, numerous players were placed on waivers. Only one was claimed, as the Carolina Hurricanes claimed former Edmonton Oiler Noah Philp off of waivers.

Born in Canmore, Alberta, Philp is a right-shot centre who went undrafted and played for the University of Alberta. With the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors in 2022-23, he scored 19 goals and 37 points, but took a year off from hockey for the 2023-24 season.

The 27-year-old returned in 2024-25, scoring 19 goals and 35 points in 55 games in the AHL, and even making his NHL debut that season, picking up two assists in 15 games. Philp made the Oilers roster out of pre-season, and has two goals and three points through 15 games, but has been on the long-term injured reserve for a while.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.