Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Vasily Ponomarev has signed a three-year contract with the KHL's Avangard Omsk, per the team. This move has been rumored over the past week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/report-penguins-forward-prospect-on-verge-of-signing-3-year-khl-deal], with Avangard announcing the deal today [https://x.com/hcavangardomsk/status/1932671939748806900] on X and via Telegram. [https://t.me/omskiyavangard/51920] NHL Draft Combine, What Events Are Best And Worst? A restricted free agent this summer, the Penguins can issue Ponomarev a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights. Ponomarev recorded 14 goals and 41 points in 55 AHL games and went pointless in seven NHL games this season. The Penguins acquired Ponomarev in March 2024 from the Carolina Hurricanes in the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to Raleigh. A second round selection of the Hurricanes in 2020, Ponomarev notched 51 goals and 121 points in 175 career AHL games and won the 2022 Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves. The 23-year-old has one goal and one assist in nine career NHL games. A native of Moscow, RUS., Ponomarev has 14 career KHL appearances under his belt. Check out The Hockey News' Pittsburgh Penguins team site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] for more roster updates. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
