​The Pittsburgh Penguins are aiming to strengthen their forward group and have been connected to Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. It has been repeatedly mentioned by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is actively pursuing a deal. If Dubas is serious about closing something, he may need to include Egor Chinakhov in the negotiations. Robertson is a consistent 40-goal scorer who would give the Penguins’ offense a much-needed boost. Chinakhov, whom Dubas acquired in a midseason trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, finished last season with 21 goals and 21 assists. That level of production would not fully replace Robertson’s impact, but Chinakhov could serve as a starting point in talks. At 25, Chinakhov is younger than Robertson, who is 26, meaning the Stars would receive a promising scoring forward as the centerpiece of the deal.
Joey Erickson, host of the Locked on Stars podcast, recently posted on X that Chinakhov could offer significant offensive upside if the two teams reach an agreement, and Erickson’s assessment aligns with Chinakhov’s late-season performance. The Blue Jackets traded Chinakhov partly because he was being played on their fourth line and not yielding the production they expected. His move to the Penguins, where he spent time in the top six, allowed him to flourish. If the Stars acquired Chinakhov and placed him in their top six, he could thrive alongside other dynamic forwards. The Stars already have Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen (as a hypothetical example) to form a potent top line, and Chinakhov would add another dangerous element to the rotation. Trading Chinakhov could be the most effective way for Dubas to land Robertson, though it remains to be seen whether he is willing to part with the rising forward.
Penguins fans have grown attached to Chinakhov, appreciating the lethal shot he brings and the potential he unlocked in Pittsburgh. Losing him in a deal would be felt, but the potential gain of Robertson would be substantial. If the Penguins acquire Robertson and integrate him into the lineup, they would gain a player who has not only proven his goal-scoring ability but also contributes on the top power-play unit. Robertson’s presence would bring a new dimension to Pittsburgh’s attack, especially with the addition of his brother Nick Robertson, whom the Penguins acquired on July 1. The prospect of two Robertsons playing together in Pittsburgh is appealing and could spark offense for a team that faced postseason disappointment in 2026, returning to the playoffs with renewed momentum.
Overall, the sense is that a deal is likely more than just a possibility; it could be a matter of when rather than if. Dubas appears increasingly determined to add Robertson to Pittsburgh, and the pursuit may intensify as negotiations progress. The potential deal would hinge on whether Dubas is willing to part with Chinakhov, a young forward who has shown considerable upside, in order to secure one of the league’s premier goal scorers.