Sergei Plotnikov is keenly in tune with the ticking of the clock, perhaps more than most hockey players.
Every element of his transition from emerging star in Russia's KHL over the past half-decade to rookie winger with the Penguins this season follows a central theme.
It's all a matter of time.
Plotnikov was on the prospect radar of NHL teams long before this summer. He's been a double-digit goal scorer in the KHL since age 21. In 2014, he finished third in scoring at the world championships, posting six goals and 12 points in 10 games for a Russian team that won the tournament.
But this summer was different. In June, he turned 25. That makes him a young man by almost any societal standard, but in hockey, he knew it was time to make a move.
He signed with the Penguins last month and bought out his own KHL contract, an unusually proactive decision for a young player, shortly thereafter.
For almost two weeks, he has been skating with his new teammates in informal preseason workouts at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. Earlier this week, he spoke with American reporters for the first time.
“I'm getting older,” Plotnikov said through interpreter George Birman. “Wait any longer, and it's going to be harder to adjust in the future. That's why I decided to do it this year, this summer.”
Once he decided the time was right to come to North America, choosing the place was easy.
“Pittsburgh is a great team, a great organization,” Plotnikov said. “I like the style Pittsburgh is playing. I like the players on the team. (Evgeni) Malkin, (Sidney) Crosby. They have a lot of great players. Every time, they are trying to win a Stanley Cup.”
Plotnikov seems to fit in with the Penguins players who have gathered at the Cranberry practice facility. He's a sturdy 6-foot-2, 202 pounds with an athletic skating stride and powerful left-handed shot.
Those attributes will help him make the adjustment to the NHL. But again, he hears the clock ticking.
Plotnikov easily could have stayed home in Russia to skate in preparation for the season. Instead, he headed to his new home as soon as he could. He wanted as much time as possible to get accustomed to his new surroundings.
“It's important to meet everybody and get to know the guys and adjust myself to the new ice, size-wise, and get closer and more ready for our preseason,” Plotnikov said.
Plotnikov knows what he's getting himself into once the preseason starts. He's making a dramatic step up in the level of competition. According to the most recent stat-based projections, KHL players coming to the NHL can expect to see their offensive numbers drop by an average of about 22 percent.
Plotnikov thinks he knows why. Again, it's just a matter of time.
“You have to think quicker. You have to make decisions quicker. Everything is different,” he said. “That's why I'm here early, to have that feel and make some adjustments.”
Note: The Penguins signed 2015 top draft pick Daniel Sprong to a three-year entry-level deal Friday. Sprong, who scored 39 goals with Charlottetown of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last year, is expected to return to his junior club this season. The contract will kick in once he turns pro.
Jonathan Bombulie is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jbombulie@tribweb.com or via Twitter at @BombulieTrib.
