The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up to welcome another promising talent into their ranks, announcing the signing of Russian prospect Mikhail Ilyin to a three-year entry-level contract. At just 20 years old, Ilyin has already begun to make waves, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Drafted by the Penguins in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Ilyin has showcased his talent over the past two seasons with Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL. In the most recent season, he hammered home seven goals and racked up 30 points across 64 games—remarks of a player who's shaping up to be a formidable offensive force. This performance follows a solid 12-goal, 29-point season from his previous campaign.
Ilyin is already making KHL history books, becoming one of only eight teenagers to score 30 or more points in a single season. Tying a record set by 19-year-old Pavel Buchnevich back in the 2014-15 season, Ilyin has certainly put himself on the radar as someone to watch. Standing at 6 feet and weighing in at 180 pounds, this left-winger is set to bring his crafty stickhandling and potent attack to the Penguins, though he’ll need to swap out his iconic No. 99 jersey before hitting NHL ice.
However, as exciting as his offensive toolkit is, there’s room for growth. Scouts have noted his skating requires some fine-tuning, an aspect of his game that may need attention as he transitions to the NHL pace. Ilyin is expected to join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins next season, where he'll continue to develop alongside fellow Russian prospect, goaltender Sergei Murashov.
A curious footnote in Ilyin’s journey is his absence from the 2023 NHL Draft, making his English proficiency a bit of a mystery. As the Penguins prepare for their annual rookie camp at the UPMC Lemieux Complex after the draft, both the team and the fans are eager to see how this young talent will adjust and thrive in his new environment.
In the coming months, Pittsburgh fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close watch, hopeful that Ilyin's entry into the league will be as smooth as his puck handling in the KHL. As they say in hockey, only time will tell if he can skate his way into Penguins lore.
