Penguins, Red Wings make trade involving young defenseman

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings make trade involving young defenseman

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 7:57 PM ET

Nikolai Knyzhov was one of the more intriguing defenseman in the Penguins organization, but now he's been traded to the Detroit Red Wings in a surprising deal.

The 2025 NHL trade deadline has come and gone, but that hasn't stopped the Pittsburgh Penguins from wheeling and dealing, as they've now made another deal on Tuesday.

This time, they've sent 26-year old defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for future considerations, with the AHL regular now finding a new home, likely with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Knyzhov arrived in Pittsburgh this season after a solid stint with the San Jose Sharks where he tallied three goals and 12 points in 81 games played between 2019 and the 2023-24 season.

Over the last two seasons however, he's mostly played in the AHL, posting two goals and seven points with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, with many believing he may get the opportunity to play at the top level with the Penguins this year.

The undrafted defenseman has experience in the KHL before coming to North America, and while he's yet to find his groove at the top level, the blueliner that stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 222 pounds still has plenty of potential moving forward.

While he'll likely start his Red Wings career at the AHL level, that's a team that may be looking to boost their defensive stocks over the next 18 months. However, with Knyzhov set to hit free agency in the summer of 2025, he'll be looking to show off what he can do down the stretch to earn himself a new deal for next season, as he's shown he can be a solid depth piece at the pro level in North America.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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