With the trade deadline approaching, it would appear Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sergei Plotnikov has gotten on head coach Mike Sullivan’s bad side.
The apparent reason: Well, according to reports quoting Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, it’s because the 25-year-old Plotnikov expressed an interest in possibly returning to Russia.
Plotnikov hasn’t played since Jan. 6 -- a span of 19 games. In 32 games with Pittsburgh, he has two assists.
GM Rutherford, always candid, tells @937theFan Plotnikov got on Sullivan's bad side by expressing an interest in return to Russia. #Penguins
— Shelly Anderson (@_ShellyAnderson) February 26, 2016
GMJR on Plotnikov: "Feeling his way, pretty good run 5 wks, then suggested he wanted to go back to Russia, that didn't go too well w coach."
— John Toperzer (@JohnToperzer) February 26, 2016
Plotnikov signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Penguins last summer. According to General Fanager, it’s worth a cap hit of $925,000.
Asked Plotnikov if he talked w/ Penguins about going back to Russia at some point: "Maybe," he said w/ a smirk.
— Bill West (@Just_BWest) February 26, 2016
He payed a hefty price just to sign in the NHL, reportedly footing a $500,000 bill to get out of his KHL contract at the time.
“Sergei wants to play in the NHL as evidenced by the amount of money he paid to be excused from the last year of his KHL contact,” Plotnikov’s agent Mike Liut told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“He understands that this will not happen in Pittsburgh and the Penguins have been attempting to trade Sergei, albeit, a difficult task when a player is a healthy scratch for two months. If a trade is not available, he will have no choice but to return to Russia.”
Sullivan did not concur with Rutherford on Plotnikov; said his aim is to always use lineup with best chance of winning. #Penguins
— Shelly Anderson (@_ShellyAnderson) February 26, 2016