Observations:

June 2016 – Pittsburgh did not tender a qualifying offer to Plachta. Mark Allan

June 2016 – Entering restricted free agency, the German native is in danger of being lost in the stampede of good young prospects in Pittsburgh's system. After coming from the Arizona franchise in a trade for disappointing Russian rookie Sergei Plotnikoff, Plachta picked up his AHL stockings. Following seven points in 46 games with the Springfield Falcons, he notched that many in only 20 games with Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate. Blessed with good size but short on raw skill, Plachta will have to make his way as a bottom-six forward. Mark Allan

February 2016 – Matthias Plachta has been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick for winger Sergei Plotnikov. Plachta started strongly this season, and was among the final cuts in training camp. He was recalled early in the season but was sent back the the AHL before appearing in a game with the Coyotes. Since then, though, he has struggled adjusting to the faster-paced North American game. In 46 games with Springfield of the AHL, the German tallied just two goals and seven points. Keith Duggan

October 2015 – Matthias Plachta was one of the final cuts during Coyotes training camp, so with Joe Vitale being placed on IR, it wasn't a huge surprise he was the first call-up of the season. Arizona coach Dave Tippett gave some high praise of the German forward during training camp, saying "he had the hardest wrist shot of anybody in camp". Plachta will play on the fourth line so don't expect big numbers but he will bring some size and grit to the lineup. Keith Duggan

June 2015 – The Coyotes have inked German Matthias Plachta to a one-year, entry-level contract. In May he completed his fifth season playing for Manheim Eagles in the DEL, putting up 14 goals and 35 points in 47 games, good for third in scoring and second in goals on the team. Plachta then went on to contribute five goals and nine points in the post-season, one which saw Manheim take home the DEL championship. What most likely got him noticed by the Coyotes though was his play in the World Championship, his third time representing Germany, playing alongside Yote Tobias Rieder. Plachta finished with two goals as the German team struggled as a whole. Like Rieder, Plachta’s an effective two-way player, good on the penalty-kill. Unlike Rieder, he provides size and some sandpaper (73 PIMS), something the Coyotes need. While 2014-15 was a strong season for him, Plachta never really put up much offensively before that; in 2013-14 he only tallied four goals and 12 points in 45 games. So Plachta will not be that big scorer that the Coyotes desperately need. He’s on a one-year deal, so if he struggles adapting to the North American game, it won’t be that big of a deal if Plachta spends the season in the AHL. But if he does make the Coyotes though, Plachta most likely plays a bottom-six role, inserting some size and grit into the Arizona line-up, someone not afraid to go into the dirty areas to retrieve the puck. Keith Duggan

Fantasy Outlook: C-

Projects to be a bottom-six winger at the NHL level. Pittsburgh essentially swapped one disappointing forward in his mid-20s with an extensive overseas resume for another.

Footage:

Interview with Matthias Plachta

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