Penguins send struggling Russian Plotnikov to Coyotes

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford announces to the media that they traded for Justin Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers and talks about how he will fit & any other moves before Monday.

In the first move of deadline day the Pittsburgh Penguins traded forward Sergei Plotnikov to the Arizona Coyotes for prospect Matthias Plachta and a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick.

After spending six seasons in the KHL, Plotnikov singed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins last summer, however the Russian has struggled in his first NHL season registering just two assists in 32 games and has not played since Jan. 6.

Plotnikov, 25, becomes a restricted free agent on July 1.

The Penguins are preparing for a playoff run, while the Coyotes are looking towards next season. Pittsburgh acquired defenceman Justin Schultz from the Oilers Saturday.

Plachta, 24, is also set to become an RFA after the season. In 46 games with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons the German winger has two goals and five assists.

February 29, 2016 - 10:07 am ET
pit Pittsburgh Penguins
Acquire
  • Matthias Plachta
  • Conditional 7th-round pick (2017)
ari Arizona Coyotes
Acquire
  • Sergei Plotnikov
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