Mikhail Ilyin will return to Russia in the KHL next season, Jason Spezza confirmed just now.
Ilyin, the Penguins' 2023 fifth-round pick, signed a three-year entry-level contract this offseason. And because he's 20 years old, his contract is not slide-eligible, meaning it will begin next season regardless of where he's playing.
Spezza said that they anticipate Ilyin coming to North America in 2026-27.
"It's great to have him over here," Spezza told me of Ilyin. "It's been a lot of work to get him over here, just with visas and everything, he missed the first few days. He took a step last year. ... Just to get him here and feel the environment is really important. It's great that he's been able to make it, and he's playing pro over there. So he'll learn what he has here, go over here and have a great year then come over."
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
11:51 am - 07.05.2025Cranberry, Pa.Ilyin to return to KHL
Mikhail Ilyin will return to Russia in the KHL next season, Jason Spezza confirmed just now.
Ilyin, the Penguins' 2023 fifth-round pick, signed a three-year entry-level contract this offseason. And because he's 20 years old, his contract is not slide-eligible, meaning it will begin next season regardless of where he's playing.
Spezza said that they anticipate Ilyin coming to North America in 2026-27.
"It's great to have him over here," Spezza told me of Ilyin. "It's been a lot of work to get him over here, just with visas and everything, he missed the first few days. He took a step last year. ... Just to get him here and feel the environment is really important. It's great that he's been able to make it, and he's playing pro over there. So he'll learn what he has here, go over here and have a great year then come over."
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