The Penguins believe Eric Tangradi is going to be a force at the NHL level in the near future but all other factors aside, the Penguins feel his development still has a ways to go and playing in the minors is the best option for him. The Penguins want Tangradi to go down to Wilkes Barre and tear it up, to put himself in position to be a force when he gets back up here.
The Penguins do not have a timetable on when or if Tangradi may return to the team in a permanent role this season. He is expected to spend at least the next two-to-three months in the minors.
Head coach Dan Bylsma admitted today that Tangradi’s play tailed off and he said that making the team is one thing and that young players sometimes have their eyes set on the goal of just making the team and that’s only the first step and and it’s a mindset young players struggle with.

Eric Tangradi is a young kid, ” Bylsma said. “Making a team is one thing and adjusting to life after making the team is a different mindset. It’s one he was dealing with and provided some inconsistencies with his play. He’s going down now, but I imagine him being a force when he comes back.”
“It’s not uncommon to see a kid come into camp and play really well, have his eyes set on the goal line of just making the team. Once you cross the goal line, you kind of feel like you finished the race but there’s a lot more to go.”
“There’s an adjustment when that happens and It’s happened a lot in the course of hockey. That’s Eric’s challenge…… He’s got to go down there, tear it up and be ready to come back here and be a force when he gets back.”