Read More: How Does Mackenzie Blackwood\u2019s Contract Stack Up Against the Goalie Deals That Followed? (+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n I had mixed reactions to my story earlier in the week about the Avs, and how they should target Chinakhov if, in fact, the Blue Jackets move him before training camp.<\/p>\n Aaron Portzline of the Athletic wrote a follow-up early Sunday morning about the relationship between team and player. If you have a subscription to their website, you can read it here.<\/a><\/p>\n Ultimately, Portzline noted that Chinakhov got treatment for his back in Russia during the 4 Nations break and his injury issues are behind him. He also noted that Chinakhov\u2019s agent said his client wants to play a top-six role. Columbus could make that work this season if they really wanted to.<\/p>\n The Avs? Not so much. At least not now. And that\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n After Brent Burns signed with Colorado, I remember Elliotte Friedman had a segment on his podcast where he mentioned that the Canes wanted to bring Burns back, but they told him he\u2019d play a more limited role than the first pair spot he\u2019d had with them the past three years.<\/p>\n Friedman said Burns preferred to play a limited role elsewhere rather than on the team where he\u2019d been a key piece. And that this is often the case with athletes who are told they no longer will get the ice time or role they once had.<\/p>\n Chinakhov, if acquired by the Avs, wouldn\u2019t have a top-six spot until an injury arises, which, likely, will happen at some point. But it\u2019s also worth noting that Martin Necas hasn\u2019t signed an extension, Artturi Lehkonen has two years remaining on his deal, and between Valeri Nichushkin and Gabe Landeskog, you might be able to squeeze in quite a bit of time in the top six.<\/p>\n If Chinakhov came to Colorado, I could see something like that working out for him. He\u2019d eventually be a key piece and that next era of talent to play in the top six. It just wouldn\u2019t happen right away. If the Avs are interested, he\u2019d be silly not to play the long game to be part of a team like this. Again, this is all assuming the Avs try to acquire him.<\/p>\n Anyway, here\u2019s what I wrote earlier in the week about him.<\/p>\n Around The NHL<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Hockey Now:<\/strong> Kyle Dubas was on the PDOcast on Friday, and had a lot of great insights<\/a> about his plan moving forward.<\/p>\n Philly Hockey Now:<\/strong> Predicting Matvei Michkov\u2019s next contract<\/a> with the Flyers.<\/p>\n New Jersey Hockey Now:<\/strong> Three destinations that make sense for Nico Daws<\/a>, if or when he\u2019s traded (before the Devils have to put him on waivers and likely lose him for free).<\/p>\n Vegas Hockey Now:\u00a0<\/strong>Here\u2019s a spoiler on one of those three locations. The Vegas Golden Knights. Why they might be interested<\/a> in someone like Daws.<\/p>\n Detroit Hockey Now:\u00a0<\/strong>One of Detroit\u2019s Russian Five legends was fired from his duties as head coach<\/a> in the KHL. He was hired in June, and didn\u2019t even get to coach a game yet. And they say NHL coaches have a short shelf life.<\/p>\n
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