The Penguins have shipped defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov to Detroit in a surprising post-deadline move that could give the 26-year-old a fresh start with the Red Wings organization.
The deal, announced Tuesday, sends Knyzhov to Detroit for future considerations.
It’s been an interesting journey for the 6-foot-3, 222-pound defenseman, who first made his mark with the San Jose Sharks. During his time there, he put up three goals and 12 points in 81 games between 2019 and 2024.
But lately, he’s been grinding it out in the minors.
This season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Knyzhov has managed two goals and seven points. Many fans thought he might get called up to Pittsburgh’s main roster, but that chance never came.
Before coming to North America, Knyzhov cut his teeth in the KHL. The undrafted defenseman has shown flashes of potential, even if he hasn’t quite found his groove in the NHL yet.
He’ll probably start out with Detroit’s AHL team in Grand Rapids, but the timing could work in his favor. The Red Wings have been looking to beef up their defensive depth, and Knyzhov might just fit the bill.
There’s some urgency for him to prove himself, though. His contract runs out in the summer of 2025, so these next few months could be crucial for his future in the league.
He’s already shown he can be a solid depth player in North American pro hockey. Now it’s just a matter of taking that next step with his new organization.
