Penguins A to Z: The future is now for Vasily Ponomarev
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With the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2023-24 season coming to an end without any postseason action, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 52 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until next season — with the organization, from fourth-line center Noel Acciari to reserve winger Radim Zohorna.
This series is scheduled to be published every weekday leading into the second day of the NHL Draft on June 29.
(Note: All contract information courtesy of Cap Friendly.)
Vasily Ponomarev
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Age: 22
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190 pounds
2023-24 NHL statistics: Two games, two points (one goal, one assist), 9:40 of average ice time per contest
2023-24 AHL statistics: 45 games, 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists)
Contract: In the second year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $795,000. Pending restricted free agent in 2025
(Note: Ponomarev is exempt from waivers for any assignments to a minor league affiliate.)
Acquired: Trade, March 7, 2024
This season: Vasily Ponomarev played for four teams in 2023-24, and he might have suited up for a fifth had an ill-timed injury not prevented the Pittsburgh Penguins from recalling him after acquiring him via trade in March.
A second-round pick (No. 53 overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft, Ponomarev was expected to challenge for a roster spot with that team entering the 2023 training camp, but a knee injury derailed those ambitions and landed him on season-opening injured reserve.
Activated Nov. 2, he was assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL since the Hurricanes did not have a full-time American Hockey League affiliate. After going pointless in two games with the Roadrunners, Ponomarev was transferred to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and posted 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 20 games.
Tic. Tac. Snipe from Vasily Ponomarev! pic.twitter.com/HlysxEf5oH
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) December 17, 2023
That success led to him being recalled by the Hurricanes on Jan. 5. That same night, in his NHL debut, he collected a goal and an assist during a 6-2 road win against the Washington Capitals.
Carolina goal!
Scored by Vasily Ponomarev with 00:59 remaining in the 3rd period.
Assisted by Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Washington: 2
Carolina: 6#CARvsWSH #ALLCAPS #CauseChaos pic.twitter.com/R65W2kEPtw— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 6, 2024
Two days later, he was once again assigned to the Wolves and remained there until early March when he was dealt to the Penguins as part of the trade that sent All-Star forward Jake Guentzel to the Hurricanes.
Making his debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on March 13, Ponomarev was primarily deployed as a second-line center once he joined the AHL Penguins. In four games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he scored one goal.
Bonesy with a missile from the blue line! pic.twitter.com/TlbZboq5sY
— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) March 19, 2024
A high ankle sprain suffered March 22 brought Ponomarev’s season to a premature ending and prevented the Pittsburgh Penguins from recalling him as hoped by president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas.
The future: Considering Dubas was eager to recall Ponomarev before the end of the 2023-24 season, it’s safe to assume the skilled forward will be a candidate to open the 2024-25 campaign with the NHL club.
A crafty playmaker who isn’t afraid to go to the net to collect offense, Ponomarev’s defense is probably his biggest area in need of improvement.
Given that he is almost exclusively a center, it’s curious how he could fit into the Penguins’ NHL roster given the depth at the position among incumbents. But regardless of position, he appears to be among the organization’s 12 best forwards who are under contract going into 2024-25.
Assuming he can stay healthy, he is more than worthy of a roster spot on this team.
The future is now for Ponomarev.