Earlier this week, the NHL announced that forward Danis Zaripov, who had been suspended for two years by the IIHF, was eligible to play in North America.
Zaripov was banned from the KHL for two years because he tested positive for a banned substance.
The NHL heard Zaripov’s appeal, and they decided that he should be allowed to play here if he wanted to do so. That didn’t go unnoticed by Penguins center Evgeni Malkin.
According to Igor Eronko of Sports Express, Malkin is not only interested in bringing Zaripov to the Penguins, he also wants to have him on his line.
Evgeni Malkin: I'd like to see Danis Zaripov in #Pens. I'd enjoy playing with him on one line
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 30, 2017
The Penguins have $3.28 million in cap space, which should be more than enough to get a deal done with the KHL veteran (assuming they’re interested).
The 36-year-old hasn’t played in North America since he was a member of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos in 1998-99.
He spent 12 seasons with AK Bars Kazan between 2001-2013, and he followed that up with a four-year stint with Magnitogorsk Mettalurg.
In 2016-17, he put up 16 goals and 45 points in 56 games during the regular season, but he exploded during the playoffs, as he had 15 goals and 22 points in 18 games.