Soon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.
According to a report by Marco D'Amico of RG Media, the Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights are in a "two-horse race" to sign KHL star forward Maxim Shabanov.
Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins seem to have a two-horse race going for Maxim Shabanov.
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) May 23, 2025
Meanwhile, Dmitry Simashev appears Utah-bound in the coming weeks.
More on the exodus from the KHL below ⏬⏬ https://t.co/oKWVHF4UyS
The 24-year-old Russian center finished third in KHL scoring last season with 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games for Chelyabinsk Traktor. Although a bit undersized at 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds, the forward's stickhandling ability, creativity, and vision make him an attractive option for any interested team.
Shabanov can do things with the puck that most others simply cannot do.
Shabanov, this year's big little KHL free agent has finished his KHL season.
— Jack Manning (@NHLJackManning) May 21, 2025
The fight to sign him to an NHL deal starts today (it likely started last year, but shhhh.)pic.twitter.com/crvAILu3Gq
Across four seasons with Traktor, Shabanov has 67 goals and 150 points in 207 career games.
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Photo credit: Chelyabinsk Traktor Hockey Club