Former Oilers blueliner Samorukov signs a new deal

This just in, the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins have signed 24 year old defenseman Dmitri Samorukov to a one year contract.

Interestingly enough though, Samorukov's deal is JUST an AHL contract so Pittsburgh is ineligible to call him up unless they sign him to an NHL level deal.

Samorukov was once seen as one of the most intriguing prospects in the NHL after being selected in the 3rd round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. In the ensuing five years though, he has seen his stock drop precipitously to the point where he can no longer even secure himself an NHL contract. Even worse though, he was shipped to the St. Louis Blues from the Oilers in exchange for forward Klim Kostin. The deal was seen essentially as a swap of underperforming prospects who needed a fresh start. But, while Kostin flourished in Edmonton, Samorukov never gained any traction in St. Louis.

Samorukov played just two games for the Blues last season, failing to reach the scoresheet. He played 69 games with the team's AHL affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds though, scoring four goals and 20 points.