The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed prospect Mikhail Ilyin to a three-year entry-level contract with a cap hit of $851,667. The 20-year-old winger, selected 142nd overall in the 2023 draft, improved his performance in the KHL, recording seven goals and 23 assists in 65 games with Severstal Cherepovets after a previous season of 12 goals and 17 assists. Given the trend with Russian players, it is likely Ilyin will be loaned back to Cherepovets for the next season rather than playing regularly in Pittsburgh for 2025-26.