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23-year-old Penguins Defenseman Excited to Make Debut with the Team
Photo credit: Edit from DK Pittsburgh Sports
23-year-old defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok is very excited to be making his debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as he was recently interviewed about this.
Vladislav Kolyachonok made his first skate as a Penguin last week, having been picked up on waivers. He was seeking fresh beginnings, having been a scratch in Utah, with his last NHL game being on Jan. 8.
That chance could come Tuesday when Pittsburgh hosts Philadelphia in a pivotal game.
"I'm super excited to be here. It's a new start, a new page," the 23-year-old defenseman said. "I can't wait to play. I just want to be on the ice as soon as possible."
"I was super excited to hear Pittsburgh picked me up and I'm very glad to be joining the organization," the defenseman said. "It's great to compete at the highest level."
"I have heard only positive things about this place," Kolyachonok said with a smile.
"I was super excited to hear Pittsburgh picked me up and I'm very glad to be joining the organization," the defenseman said. "It's great to compete at the highest level."
"I have heard only positive things about this place," Kolyachonok said with a smile.
With Matt Grzelcyk uncertain to play due to an injury sustained in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Rangers and Vincent Desharnais giving inconsistent production since being promoted, coach Mike Sullivan could give Kolyachonok a chance.
Kolyachonok has potential as he was a second-round pick
The 6-2, 195-pound blue-line defender was a second-round pick of Florida in 2019 before he was traded to Arizona, currently the Utah Hockey Club.
The left-shot blueliner played four years in the NHL and appeared in 62 games, with four goals, 12 points, and a minus-2. This season, in 23 games, he chipped in with five points and a minus-7.
Kolyachonok wasn't exactly out of place in Utah but became the odd man out when the team signed Nick DeSimone and injured defensemen came back, such as John Marino.
Excited to play for the Penguins, he called them a "legendary" franchise, naming respect for Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Kristopher Letang. Kolyachonok is under contract until the 2025-26 season with a $775,000 cap hit.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 25 | 269 ANSWERS 23-year-old Penguins Defenseman Excited to Make Debut with the Team Will Vladislav Kolyachonok have success with the Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 195 | 72.5 % |
| No | 74 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||