Sharks’ former top rookie joins Pittsburgh Penguins on tryout deal

SAN JOSE – Defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov, considered the San Jose Sharks’ top rookie four years ago, is joining the Pittsburgh Penguins on a professional tryout agreement.

In 81 career games with the Sharks, Knyzhov had 12 points and averaged 16:33 of ice time. That included a breakout year in the pandemic-shortened 2020-2021 season, in which he had 10 points, played all 56 games, and was selected as the Sharks’ rookie of the year.

Knyzhov, though, would then miss close to two full seasons with a litany of injuries...