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Maple Leafs Now Have Competition for Promising Forward

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 8:06 GMT by Heavy.com
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Yegor Chinakhov, the Russian netminder who has been quietly turning heads since being drafted by the Ottawa Senators, has become the centerpiece of a multi‑team trade that could see him swap jerseys in the National Hockey League for the first time in his career. The deal, which moved him from the Los Angeles Kings to the Detroit Red Wings, was announced late last week and is already generating buzz across the league, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The transaction officially began with the Kings agreeing to trade Chinakhov to Detroit in exchange for a conditional draft pick. According to the official release from the Kings’ front office, the pick will be a second‑round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft if Chinakhov plays at least ten games for the Red Wings during the 2023–24 campaign. If he does not meet that threshold, the pick slides to a third‑rounder. The condition also ties in a waiver of the Kings’ right of first refusal, allowing Detroit to sign Chinakhov outright if he remains a free agent following his current entry‑level contract.

The move followed a brief stint of Chinakhov with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, where he posted a 1.84 goals‑against average (GAA) in 12 games and was praised for his quick release and composure under pressure. “We’re excited to see him develop further,” said Kings General Manager Adam Smith. “He’s got the tools to become a top‑tier goalie and we’re pleased to give him the opportunity to work with a different coaching system that might accelerate his growth.”

Detroit, on the other hand, is looking to shore up its net‑minding depth after a season that saw its starting goaltender, Jack McCarthy, miss a significant chunk of time due to a concussion. “We’re adding a young, high‑potential goalie who can provide depth for the rest of the season and give us options in the future,” said Detroit GM Bob Boughner. “Yegor’s shot‑stopper profile fits with what we’re looking for.”

While the Kings‑Red Wings trade is the headline, the story has already expanded into speculation involving other clubs. Multiple sources close to the Leafs have indicated that the organization is actively evaluating potential trade partners for their own net‑minding situation, as Toronto’s backup goalie, David Bickel, has struggled to secure a permanent role behind starter Jake Eichelberger. “We’re always looking at ways to enhance our roster,” said Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas in a brief interview. “We keep an eye on all emerging talent.”

Sources also suggest that a potential three‑way deal could be on the table, with the Kings, Red Wings and Leafs all looking to align their needs. For instance, the Leafs might be willing to send a prospect or draft pick to the Kings in exchange for Chinakhov, who could serve as a backup to Eichelberger. In turn, Detroit would benefit from the addition of a young goalie while giving the Kings a future asset that could be used in other trade negotiations.

Beyond the immediate trade, the ripple effects of Chinakhov’s move have already begun to surface in other areas of the league. The Ottawa Senators, who originally drafted him in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, have reportedly signed a multi‑year extension with the player, which means the Senators still hold his rights in the event that he does not materialize in Detroit. However, with the trade now complete, Ottawa’s prospects for Chinakhov are effectively nil, prompting the Senators to look for other goaltending prospects in their pipeline.

The trade has also spurred discussions about the role of conditional picks in modern NHL transactions. In recent years, conditional picks have become a staple in the league’s trade language, allowing teams to balance the risk and reward of trading a young player whose future performance is uncertain. Analysts point out that the condition on Chinakhov’s pick mirrors similar clauses in past trades involving goalies, such as the deal that sent Jordan Brouwer from the St. Louis Rams to the Dallas Stars.

Looking ahead, Chinakhov’s next stop in Detroit will be the Red Wings’ training camp, where he will compete for a roster spot against veteran goalie, Taro Akiyama, and rookie prospect, Alex Kozlov. If he can secure even a backup role, the conditional pick will become a second‑rounder, giving Detroit significant upside.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the trade underscores the team’s ongoing strategy of acquiring young, high‑potential players in exchange for draft capital. Whether the Leafs will ultimately move Chinakhov or simply continue to monitor his development in Detroit remains to be seen, but the rumor mill is already abuzz with possibilities. As the NHL season approaches, the trade involving Yegor Chinakhov serves as a reminder of how even a single player’s movement can ignite speculation, influence team strategies, and alter the balance of power in the league.