In a move that has been expected for a couple of months now, Penguins restricted free agent defenseman Andrey Pedan has officially signed in Russia, signing with Ak Bars Kazan per a team release (link in Russian). The 25-year-old received a two-year contract.
Pedan was acquired by Pittsburgh in early October as part of the deal that sent blueliner Derrick Pouliot to Vancouver. He’s the lone asset remaining from that trade as the fourth-round pick they also added was later flipped to Vegas as part of the three-team Derick Brassard swap.
He wound up spending the entire season at the minor league level where he had his best year statistically with nine goals and 17 assists in 52 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. While he didn’t get into any NHL contests in 2017-18, he does have 13 games under his belt with Vancouver back in 2015-16.
The two-year term is particularly notable. Pedan will be 26 at the end of the contract which means he will still be under team control so if he fares well, Pittsburgh could still bring him back in time for the 2020-21 season.
Big physical defenseman that showed some offensive ability. I wish the Pens would have given him a chance.
Ever think that if he were any good, Vancouver wouldn’t have traded him and the Pens would have given him a chance? Big, physical defensemen who can play are a hot commodity. Two teams letting him go in a year should tell you something.
I watched him play for two years in Utica, he vastly outplayed his offensive ability this year and his defense isn’t that great either. Opponents were always between him and the goalie