Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Now that he is healthy, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty has been activated from IR — and was promptly sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Sunday. In a corresponding move, forward Joona Koppanen has been recalled from WBS ahead of the Penguins’ four-game Western swing that begins Monday in Seattle.
McGroarty has missed the past six games because of a concussion but returned to full capacity in practice a few days ago. He has two goals, three points in 16 games with the Penguins, and four goals, seven points at the AHL level this season. With the Penguins seemingly happy with their line combinations, McGroarty would seem more likely to get playing time with WBS right now.
Koppanen has one assist in 10 games at the NHL level this season. He has six goals, 11 points in 22 games with WBS.
Jones Deals With New Injury
Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones could fall into that old saw about luck — if he didn’t have bad luck, he would have no luck at all. Jones was back in Pittsburgh over the weekend to be evaluated for a new injury.
Jones played in just seven games in October before he was sidelined by a lower-body injury. Finally back to playing health, he was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last week on a conditioning assignment. In his first game there, Wednesday, he sustained an upper-body injury.
Jones, who signed as a free agent last summer, had a locker in the practice facility. Penguins coach Dan Muse confirmed only that Jones was being medically evaluated.
Ben Kindel Shrugs Off Slump
Rookie center Ben Kindel has gone 16 games now without a goal. That’s not to say his game has fallen apart — he has six assists over that span and has continued to show good decisions and playmaking skills.
If he’s stewing over the lack of goals, he wasn’t showing it Sunday.
“It’s a long year, and there’s going to be ups and downs, and there’s going to be times when you’re scoring and times when you’re not,” Kindel said. “I think it’s just the stuff in between. You control what you can control. Sometimes the puck’s not going, so you’ve got to be doing other things to help your team. That’s really what I focus on.
“I don’t feel snakebit or in a slump. Like I said, it’s a long season.”
In 44 games, the 18-year-old has eight goals, 20 points. He has played in a few different roles, including having Evgeni Malkin on his wing, and, recently, centering towering wingers Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha.
Penguins’ Steady Seven
The Penguins, like a lot of teams, have dealt with several injuries this season, and some players have been healthy scratches at times, but there are seven skaters who have not missed a game. That’s a significant portion of the 18 skaters who dress for games.
The seven are defensemen Kris Letang, Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea; and forwards Sidney Crosby, Tommy Novak, Connor Dewar, Anthony Mantha.
Probably the two most notable names on that list are long-time franchise players Crosby and Letang, who are each 38, but it’s an impressive feat for all.
“Obviously, it’s just nice to have the opportunity to play every game,” Wotherspoon said. “You’ve just got to take care of your body. It’s a hard-hitting game. You’re going to have some bumps and bruises. It’s just pain tolerance at this point in the season. There’s a lot of tough guys in here.”
Tags: ben kindel caleb jones joona koppanen Pittsburgh Penguins rutger mcgroarty Shelly Anderson
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