Report: Penguins' Plotnikov paid $500K to terminate KHL contract

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sergei Plotnikov reportedly paid half a million dollars to get out of his contract in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Plotnikov gave the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl $500,000 to terminate his contract so he could sign with the Penguins, Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"Not many guys would do that," Rutherford said.

Plotnikov signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Penguins on Wednesday. He spent six seasons in the KHL, including the last three with Lokomotiv.

Rutherford said the 25-year-old is planning on heading to Pittsburgh as early as August to get acclimated to his new club.

"Without us asking, he's already talking about getting over here early," Rutherford said. "Some of the things he's done speak volumes (about) his character."

The winger tied a career-high with 15 goals and set a new career mark with 21 assists in 56 games in 2014-15.

He was a member of Russia's silver medal-winning World Championship team in 2015 and starred for the country's gold medal squad in 2014, racking up 12 points in 10 games.

- With h/t to Pro Hockey Talk