Former Penguins Forward Leaves North America and Signs with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL

Joseph Blandisi has signed a two-year deal with Kontinental Hockey League team SKA St. Petersburg, committing the player to the Russian club until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, per NHL reporter Seth Rorabaugh.

The 31-year-old centre has effectively played virtually all of the past two seasons inside the AHL, and has last played in the NHL during the 2019-20 season, appearing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Joseph Blandisi has been a steady producer at the AHL level, contributing at least 15 goals and 35 points per season over each of the past three years. With that production aside, however, he was unable to make his way back onto an NHL roster.

At the professional level in North America, Blandisi has played 101 games in the NHL, dividing time between the New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins, and a whopping 448 games at the AHL level.

This transfer to SKA is a great opportunity for Blandisi, since he now has the potential to play within one of Europe's top leagues. Given his age and the duration of his contract, this transfer likely marks the end of his NHL playing career.

SKA St. Petersburg gains an experienced multi-faceted center who brings offensive consistency with the added leadership in the form of an experienced player to the team.