Penguins intend to sign Plotnikov

Penguins announce intention to sign Plotnikov

Today a Russian station let out that Sergei Plotnikov is planning to sign for the Pittsburgh Penguins when the free agency window opens on the 1st July. The Russian currently plays for Lokomotiv Moscow and he will become the second Russian on the team after Evgeni Malkin.

As mentioned above Plotnikov has currently plays for Lokomotiv were he has spent the last three seasons scoring 44 goals and 57 assists in 159 games. That is a PPG of 0.635. This season just gone was his best yet and the indication is that he has opted out of his contract with Yaroslavl to try his hand at the NHL.

Plotnikov is has frequent appearances at the World Hockey Championships and has a gold medal in 2014 to his name. This year he struggled finishing with 1 goal and 1 assist in Russia's 10 games. One of his team mates was Viktor Tikhonov who was a first round draft choice for Phoenix in 2008. The Penguins have apparently shown interest in him as well.

Tikhonov plays for Kovalchuk's SKA St.Petersburg and last season scores 8 goals and 16 assists in 49 games. Whilst his numbers aren't massively impressive I don't think anyone would expect him, or Plotnikov, to be anything more than third liners. Tikhonov season high of 18 goals in 2013-14 indicates that he has the ability, as does Plotnikov. 

All together, there is no risk if the Penguins sign them both. Plotnikov will be on an ELC deal which means he will be cheap. Tikhonov will cost more with it rumoured to be around the $3m mark. Either way, their signings open up trade opportunities for one or two of Pittsburgh's forwards. The new few days will be interesting.