If this goes through it will be a BIG pickup for the Pens. Could be a great fit with Malkin, even if he isnt cut out for the top 6 yet, he is a better 3rd line winger than anyone else they have and he will come at a cheap price.

Wonder if JR is trying to go for an all Russian line with Plotknikov-Malkin-Semin?
- MacPatty

It would make shopping for Christmas gifts easier... can get them all some Vodka :D

Yah, not bad at all. Although he points out something important. TASS isn't the most reliable source.
- usethe1-2-2

He said it can't be announced until the FA period begins so it's possible we won't know for sure until then.

Good job GMJR. I have no clue if he fills that hard working 3rd wheel for Malkin's line or is a depth signing, but hopefully we got a useful player for cheap.

He said it can't be announced until the FA period begins so it's possible we won't know for sure until then.
- madmike71

It can't be official but clubs can announce they have reached an agreement if they want to. He is a UFA and you can start negotiating tomorrow.

Good cheap move, hope it works out and its not another Janne Peseson.

This like from the DK article makes me cringe

"There have been strong indications from Jim Rutherford and others with the Penguins that they would try to address their needs for a top-six winger in part by finding Malkin a Russian linemate with whom he might feel comfortable."

He's a 29 yr old man playing in the US for 9 years now, how are you not comfortable at this point?

Hes the kind of player we should have been out grabbing the last few years for no asset cost... low risk, solid skill, and could become a forward for us to use instead of having to overpay for one at a trade deadline.
- Guile

That's the key for me. The guy costs nothing to acquire, and is likely an NHL caliber forward. Will he be a Malkin linemate? Who knows, but it can't hurt to try guys like this. He's been a consistent performer in the KHL for the past couple of years, so that is nice to see.

From the very little that we've all seen and read, he seems a bit gritty. You'd think the worse case, he ads a bit of a scoring touch to the 3rd line.

Malkin knows him, so that is a plus a well.

If it happens, good work from GMJR. JR has a connection to him with Tom Rowe. Rowe was an assistant coach for Carolina and coached their AHL team. He also coached Plotnikov in his first season in Lokomotiv.

Good cheap move, hope it works out and its not another Janne Peseson.

This like from the DK article makes me cringe

"There have been strong indications from Jim Rutherford and others with the Penguins that they would try to address their needs for a top-six winger in part by finding Malkin a Russian linemate with whom he might feel comfortable."

He's a 29 yr old man playing in the US for 9 years now, how are you not comfortable at this point?
- sammy87

Honestly I think that report that Malkin needs a Russian is just Rutherford thinking he has a good idea. Malkin is currently uncomfortable but that has nothing to do with not having a fellow Ruskie. He just needs skill. He was comfortable with James Neal and he was a Canuk. Rutherford is just dumb and thinks the way to solve this is by getting him a Russian instead of a good fit. Lucky for us he stumbled on what seems to be a good fit in search of his illusive Russian instead of making a boneheaded trade for Semin.

I hope part of the deal they promised him the #16.

Pens need to change their intro music to the Mortal Kombat song from his highlight video.

Good job GMJR. I have no clue if he fills that hard working 3rd wheel for Malkin's line or is a depth signing, but hopefully we got a useful player for cheap.
- Tojo.

For the price (heard it should be no more than 1 mil), he would be a solid 4th liner as well. From what I understand though, he was able to hang with ovechkin on his line during the world championships. I'm hoping he can do the same with geno

Please go into the Canes thread and explain that Brandon Sutter is not equal to Jordan Staal.

It's (frank)ing ridiculous that I have to say that at this point.

So my question to these guys coming over. If they are any good they would be making good coin over there surely, why go to the NHL & be paid minimum? Are there bonuses that pump the salary up? Why leave a great paying job for a lesser paid one?

Plotnikov played on the Russian team with Malkin in this years 2015 World Championships where Russia won a silver medal. Plotnikov is left handed and had 2 points in 10 games with 1G and 1A. I don't know if he ever played on the same line with Malkin. Malkin had 5G and 5A in 9 games.

Yohe tweeted that he talked to pens and they intend to sign him.. Good deal.. New #16... Sutter to AZ for 3rd overall

So my question to these guys coming over. If they are any good they would be making good coin over there surely, why go to the NHL & be paid minimum? Are there bonuses that pump the salary up? Why leave a great paying job for a lesser paid one?
- Aussiepenguin

The NHL is the premiere league. Plus he knows Malkin, so the chance to play in the NHL with one of the best players in the world could be a draw. Money isn't everything!

Good cheap move, hope it works out and its not another Janne Peseson.

This like from the DK article makes me cringe

"There have been strong indications from Jim Rutherford and others with the Penguins that they would try to address their needs for a top-six winger in part by finding Malkin a Russian linemate with whom he might feel comfortable."

He's a 29 yr old man playing in the US for 9 years now, how are you not comfortable at this point?
- sammy87

Part of being a managing employees is always looking for ways to improve a person's productivity. If it's a high cost thing, I'd have a problem with it. Since this is not, I like it.

Culture matters no matter what the age of the players. Why do you think most cities have "Little Italy's and "Little China's" etc? People like to be around others of the same background.....that's a fact.....and it's not changing.

It might be good for Geno to be a role model. It certainly can't hurt at that cost. Love it.

New blog

Please go into the Canes thread and explain that Brandon Sutter is not equal to Jordan Staal.

It's (frank)ing ridiculous that I have to say that at this point.
- BINGO!

They are saying sutter and staal are the same?

They are saying sutter and staal are the same?
- drummer829

Just one guy. He legitimately thinks that if you put Sutter and J.Staal in the same position you get pretty much the same result.

So my question to these guys coming over. If they are any good they would be making good coin over there surely, why go to the NHL & be paid minimum? Are there bonuses that pump the salary up? Why leave a great paying job for a lesser paid one?
- Aussiepenguin

There were many reports that the KHL is in shambles financially, some teams didn't even pay their players for a while last season. Yeah the money you make there might be tax free but if you are not even guaranteed to be paid, what good does it make? By joining the NHL, he gets guaranteed money and most likely UFA status as soon as next year (I think) and has a chance to make a few millions if he does well. Alternatively, if things stabilizes in Russia during the year, he can always go back there as well.

For the price (heard it should be no more than 1 mil), he would be a solid 4th liner as well. From what I understand though, he was able to hang with ovechkin on his line during the world championships. I'm hoping he can do the same with geno
- drummer829

I'm not going to read too much into that. The Russian national teams have always elevated KHL players to try and show the league's strength. But the profile sounds like the type who has a shot.

Just speculating, but I think Rutherford may be looking at the market and realizing he can get only one true top 6 guy and will aquire several cheaper guys to compete for a spot. Maybe get another guy like Kassian, sign Comeau, throw Bennett in the mix, and see who emerges with the rest providing depth.