Plotnikov assisted on a Boyd Gordon goal in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

The Russian only logged 9:02 of ice time, but was very active nonetheless. Aside from assisting on Arizona's only goal of the night, he took a shot, had two penalty minutes, and registered two hits. Plotnikov has just three points in his 36-game NHL career, making him a non-factor in fantasy terms for the time being.

Plotnikov was dealt by the Penguins to the Coyotes on Monday, Craig Custance of ESPN reports, with Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review adding that the return is prospect Matthias Platcha and a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick.

EDGE Analysis

Signed out of the KHL this past offseason, the 25-year-old rookie managed just two lonely assists and 32 shots on goal in 32 games with the Penguins. Once rumored to be a candidate for top-six ice time alongside Evgeni Malkin, he ultimately played nearly exclusively fourth-line minutes when he was in the lineup -- and he hasn't been since Jan. 6. It's unclear whether Plotnikov will remain in the NHL ranks with Arizona, but it seems likely that the Coyotes' depth at left wing will force him to the AHL, where Plotnikov has yet to make an appearance.

Plotnikov didn't participate in practice Sunday, even though he's not injured.

EDGE Analysis

Pens coach Mike Sullivan characterized his absence as a procedural move. "Plots is a more of a management decision regarding flexibility around the trade deadline," Sullivan noted. "He didn't practice with us today and will not practice with us tomorrow." Plotnikov's number of days as a member of the Penguins may be coming to an end in the near future.

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.

Plotnikov, who has yet to score a goal in 30 games, served as a healthy scratch for the sixth consecutive game Thursday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

The forward produced three 30-point campaigns in the KHL but has yet to show a scoring touch in North America. "He's a heavy body," GM Jim Rutherford said. "I believe he can play in the league. He's another guy that's snake-bitten offensively." Rutherford recently noted how David Perron was "snake bitten" before trading him to Anaheim.

Plotnikov will likely serve as scratch Saturday against the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Plotnikov has played well on a checking line but has contributed next to nothing offensively. He has two assists and 56 hits in 27 games, and is still looking for his first NHL goal.

After going scoreless for the 14th consecutive game in Wednesday's shutout loss to Boston, Plotnikov's stat line through 24 contests sits at no goals, two assists, a plus-1 rating and 27 shots.

EDGE Analysis

With the caveat (or is it an excuse?) that he's playing limited minutes, averaging just 9:50 a game, Plotnikov's first NHL season has been a largely unmitigated disaster so far. The 25-year-old Russian was expected to at least compete for a role in the Pens' top six, but hasn't played well enough to draw such an assignment very often. Plotnikov can thus be ignored in the vast majority of fantasy formats, particularly considering the tendency of struggling Russians to head back to the friendly confines of the KHL.

Plotnikov is expected to serve as a healthy scratch Saturday against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Mike Johnston gave no indication that this will increase his chances of returning to junior hockey but the Pens have been reluctant to play him. The team will need to make a decision as to his immediate future very soon, as Sprong has played in eight of nine games -- the maximum games limit before tryouts end,

Plotnikov skated with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel on Friday during practice, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plotnikov started the season with Malkin but was removed from the line because of a slow first step and little scoring. Since then he's established himself a little bit as a bottom-six grinder. He suffers from a propensity for falling down easily and doesn't get many calls from referees, so it'll be interesting to see how his second go-around with Malkin turns out. Plotnikov has one assist in six games.

Plotnikov was taken off the Evgeni Malkin line and skated with Steve Bonino and Beau Bennett during Monday's practice, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plotnikov saw time with Bonino and Bennett in the second half of Saturday's tilt against Arizona and played his best hockey. For whatever reason, he appears more comfortable on the third line. During one late shift he set up a scoring play and then rung a shot off the post. Plotnikov is still looking for his first NHL point after two games.