Former Penguins forward prospect Nikita Pavlychev has signed a one-year American Hockey League (AHL) contract with the Syracuse Crunch, affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Penguins selected Pavlychev in the seventh round (No. 197 overall) in the 2015 draft but never signed him. The deadline to retain his signing rights expired on Saturday.
A 6-foot-8, 225 pound center, Pavlychev, 23, spent four seasons at Penn State, playing in 137 games and scoring 70 points (36 goals, 34 assists).
The AHL is aiming to open the 2020-21 season in early December.
