PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He provided an instant spark once the Pens acquired him and now he’s being rewarded with a three-year contract. The team announced on Sunday night forward Egor Chinahkov has avoided arbitration and gets $6.25 per season. There is also some goaltender news.
The 25-year-old Chinakhov scored in his second game with the Pens and at the end of his 43 games with Pittsburgh a career-high 18 goals and 18 assists. This production after just three goals and three assists in 29 games with Columbus last season.
Chinakhov built a chemistry with Evgeni Malkin that is likely to continue in the coming season and the Pens also acquired another Russian winger, Andrei Kuzmenko.
Pens also signed goalie Arturs Silovs to a one-year deal for $2.8 million.
Also 25, the Latvia native played in 39 games for the Pens going 19-12 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .888 save percentage. In the three playoff games Silovs started for the Pens last season he went 2-1, 1.52 GAA and .939 save percentage.
Pens also signed 24-year-old goalie Joel Blomqvist who played nearly the entire season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL for $875,000 at the NHL level. His record 16-5-6 with a 2.40 goals-against average (6th in the AHL) and .913 save percentage in 26 games. The Pens 2020 2nd round pick struggled in just 15 career games in the NHL, but likely will battle with Sergei Murashov for the spot opposite Silovs to start the season.
The team finally avoided arbitration with 26-year-old forward David Gustafsson who had 32 points (10 goals) in 48 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The 6’2”, 196-pound Gustafsson played 149 career NHL games with 20 points (six goals) and will make $850,000 at the NHL level.
Chinakhov rewarded with near $19 million contract
Chinakhov rewarded with near $19 million contract
