Penguins forward Dustin Jeffrey heading to KHL
By Matt Shetler
As the NHL lockout continues, it’s nearing decision time for a lot of players on what to do about their immediate hockey futures.
March 5, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Dustin Jeffrey (15) clears the puck away from Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper
While some are prepared to wait it out, now is about the time you will see more and more players sign with other teams, especially since Thursday night was to be the beginning of the regular season.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ winger Dustin Jeffrey isn’t prepared to wait any longer as he announced earlier this week that he signed with the KHL’s Medvescak Zagreb, joining Evgeni Malkin in the Russia-based league.
This is probably a good move for Jeffrey, who Penguins career has been hampered by injuries so far.
Jeffrey was set to join Medvescak’s team on Thursday morning and is expected to play on Friday.
Late last week, the Tilburg Trappers, a team based in the Netherlands, announced that it had signed the Penguins forward for the duration of the NHL lockout, but Jeffrey instead elected to head to Croatia.
Jeffrey has played 66 games in the NHL (12 goals, nine assists) and will play only in the KHL until the lockout ends.
Jeffrey’s decision will likely be the first of many Penguins’ players in the upcoming weeks as players are starting to miss paychecks now and will be looking for a place to play.