Penguins/NHL
With Ilya Kovalchuk off the market, Maxim Afinogenov is now the highest scoring forward still on the market, tallying 24 goals and 61 points last season for the Atlanta Thrashers.
The 30 year old winger was a bargain in 2009-2010, making $800,000. Despite a rebound season, GM’s are showing little desire to meet Afinogenov’s demands, who has seen a slow market develop.
There has been some intrigue that Afinogenov could be a fit in Pittsburgh on a one year deal and play with close friend Evgeni Malkin. However, that won’t be happening.
The Penguins expressed early interest and had previously been monitoring Afinogenov’s situation but are no longer a suitor for Afinogenov, a source close to the winger told Inside Pittsburgh Sports this afternoon.
The source tells me there hasn’t been any “legitimate” interest of late from Pittsburgh who appears to have decided to go in another direction.
The Penguins face difficulties in bringing in an impact forward due to their cap situation. Another winger who won’t be coming to Pittsburgh is Alexei Poinkarovsky.
Contacts in Ponikarovsky’s camp reiterated once again today when contacted that Pittsburgh is not an option from their end and said that no new talks will happen.
Ponikarovsky has not received a firm offer to this point.
