Pens GM Jim Rutherford said Plotnikov requested his release to go back to Russia earlier in the season, 93.7 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutherford described Plotnikov's timeline with the Pens. "At first he was feeling his way, he had pretty good run for five weeks," the GM noted. "Then he suggested he wanted to go back to Russia, but that didn't go too well with coach." Plotnikov last played Jan. 6, serving as a healthy scratch since. The forward has yet to score a goal in the NHL, tallying only two assists in 32 games.