Pens Points: Chinakhov the Maple Leaf?

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 05: Egor Chinakhov #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Here are your Pens Points for this

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Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…

In an alternate universe, Egor Chinakhov might be wearing blue and white and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs reportedly tried to trade for Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, including discussions around a swap involving Nick Robertson. They couldn’t finalize a deal before he was ultimately sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins. [PensBurgh]

Penguins forwards Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte appear to be in the final stages of recovery from their respective maladies. When asked recently

whether they would be able to suit up for Game 1 on Saturday night, both players said they were ready to “go.” [Trib Live]

Many within the Penguins’ locker room are embracing their return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out in recent seasons, with players and coaches emphasizing that meaningful spring hockey is exactly what they worked for all year. [Trib Live]

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Plum native and ESPN host Pat McAfee made a friendly wager on the Penguins-Flyers first-round playoff series, with Shapiro backing Philadelphia and McAfee rooting for his hometown Penguins. If the Penguins win, Shapiro will wear a tank top to work; if the Flyers win, McAfee will wear a suit on his show. [Trib Live]

The Penguins are moving on from defenseman Matt Dumba after the team reportedly placed the veteran on waivers for contract termination. [TSN]

News and notes from around the NHL…

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has made waves in Hockey Mecca, creating uncertainty about his long-term future with the Leafs by refusing to commit beyond his current contract, saying he “can’t predict the future” as the team searches for a new general manager. [Sportsnet]

The New Jersey Devils have hired Sunny Mehta as the team’s newest general manager. Mehta had been working in the Florida Panthers’ front office since 2020. [ESPN]

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Rick Bowness have agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season, the team announced on Thursday. [Yahoo! Sports]