Blue Jackets, Chinakhov off to roaring start at Traverse City Prospects Tournament
Columbus unbeaten after two games, getting two goals from Russian rookie in 5-3 victory over Dallas. Gaudet adds two more, Sillinger nets first.
Brian Hedger
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – It hasn’t taken long for Yegor Chinakhov to feel comfortable on a smaller rink in North America.
In fact, the Russian rookie is making himself right at home for the Blue Jackets after two games in the 2021 Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament. A day after notching a goal Thursday to help Columbus open up with a victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 20-year old right wing doubled his scoring output a day later at Centre Ice Arena.
Facing a Dallas Stars team Friday that included five first-round picks, Chinakhov scored twice in a 5-3 victory that showed why he was named the top rookie in the KHL last season. The Jackets’ first pick in the 2020 draft, taken 21st overall, has three goals through the first two games of the tournament.
The Blue Jackets also got a pair of goals from Jake Gaudet, a 6-foot-2 forward signed to an AHL contract with the Cleveland Monsters, plus a tying goal late in the second period by center Cole Sillinger — the team's second of three first-round pick in this year’s draft.
Sillinger's hard wrist shot was impressive. Chinakhov's were practically mirror images, including his first of the tournament Thursday against Toronto. Each time, he's gotten the puck in the right face-off circle and wired pinpoint shots past helpless goalies with a left-hand shot.
"He’s got a laser," said Sillinger, who centers Chinakhov's line. "It doesn’t really matter who’s in net or anything. I have full confidence when the puck’s on his stick and he’s shooting it. I mean, his first one (against Dallas), I gave him a quick little pass and it's off his stick and in the net in like a half second. He’s a great player. Great shot.”
Sillinger has also created a buzz.
The 18-year old pivot has shown why the Jackets selected him 12th overall in July. He’s been good on face-offs, has pestered opposing goalies and scored his first goal wearing a Blue Jackets logo with a hard, low wrister from between the circles late in the second period.
Getting the puck inside the Stars’ blue line, Sillinger carried closer and used a backhand-to-forehand move to hold off a defender and whip a sizzler into the net to tie it 3-3. Chinakhov’s goals each gave the Blue Jackets the lead, putting them up 1-0 just 25 seconds into the game and then snapping the 3-3 tie early in the third for the winner.
“Every shift we play, we’re getting more chances and we’re creating chemistry,” Sillinger said of his line, which includes Tyler Angle and Chinakhov as wingers. “That obviously helps your confidence when you’re having success.”
The Blue Jackets have two games left. They’re off the ice Saturday, no practice or game, and will finish with games Sunday against the host Detroit Red Wings (6 p.m.) and Monday in a rematch against the Maple Leafs (1 p.m.).
Cannon Fodder
Forward Tristan Mullin took a high stick in the mouth during the third period. It’s unknown if he lost any teeth, but will see a dentist for an assessment. Mullin, who played collegiately at Vermont and made his professional debut last season with Cleveland, is signed to an AHL contract with the Monsters. … After dishing out the primary assist on Josh Dunne’s overtime goal against Toronto, forward Carson Meyer (Ohio State and Ohio AAA Blue Jackets alum) sat out against Dallas with an upper-body injury. His status is unknown for the remaining two games. … Goalie Jet Greaves earned a pair of victories in the first two games, allowing three goals in each. His play was a key factor in the wins. Greaves, who's slated to back up top goalie prospect Daniil Tarasov in Cleveland, made a number of impressive stops. … Ben Boyd, selected in the sixth round of this year’s draft, hasn’t found a dance partner yet. The rugged 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward is spoiling for a scrap and continues to seek one.
bhedger@dispatch.com
@BrianHedger