Penguins Secure Chinakhov and Silovs with New Contracts

In a strategic move that underscores their commitment to building a competitive roster, the Pittsburgh Penguins have officially signed forward Egor Chinakhov to a three-year contract and goaltender Arturs Silovs to a one-year deal. The timing of these announcements, coinciding with the arbitration deadline, suggests a calculated approach by the players as they finalize their futures with the team.

Chinakhov’s new contract, which runs through the 2028-29 season, comes with an average annual value of $6.25 million, a significant increase from his previous salary. The 25-year-old forward enjoyed a breakout season, setting personal bests with 72 games played, 21 goals, 21 assists, and a total of 42 points while splitting time between Columbus and Pittsburgh. After joining the Penguins on December 29, Chinakhov made an immediate impact, contributing 36 points (18 goals and 18 assists) in 43 games, ranking third on the team for goals and points during that span. His contributions also included six appearances in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 203 pounds, Chinakhov has now played five seasons in the NHL, amassing 113 points (55 goals and 58 assists) over 247 career games with both the Penguins and the Blue Jackets. This new deal not only secures Chinakhov’s presence on the roster but also effectively buys out one year of unrestricted free agency.

Meanwhile, Silovs, who has signed a one-year contract valued at an average annual rate of $2.8 million through the 2026-27 season, will also see a considerable raise. The young goaltender is expected to become a restricted free agent next summer, offering him the opportunity to further establish himself within the organization.

The Penguins also announced one-year contracts for forward David Gustafsson and a two-year deal for goaltender Joel Blomqvist. Gustafsson’s contract runs through the 2026-27 season with an average annual value of $850,000, while Blomqvist’s deal extends through 2027-28 at an average of $875,000. With these signings, the Penguins have addressed key roster needs, leaving only Nick Robertson and Ville Koivunen as restricted free agents yet to be signed.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.