SouthPointe PA, — This morning the Pittsburgh Penguins assigned forwards Joe Vitale, Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Johnson, Luca Caputi, Konstantin Pushkarev, Wyatt Smith, Eric Tangradi, Tim Wallace and defensemen Robert Bortuzzo, Jonathan D’Aversa, Chris Lee and goaltender Brad Thiessen to Wilkes Barre/Scranton, the Penguins AHL Affiliate.
Veteran Wade Brookbank has also been assigned to Wilkes Barre. John Curry will stay with the team for the time being as Brent Johnson had his knee evaluated this morning.
*2009 1st round pick Simon Despres has been re-assigned to his junior team
The team is currently going through their only practice of the day. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will play tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal.
Brent Johnson and Ben Lovejoy were the only players to miss practice today. Pascal Dupuis practiced for the second consecutive day after being injured in Monday’s game.
Eric Tangradi who performed above expectations in training camp was not surprised about being sent down as the team has made it known to him that they want him to spend atleast a year in Wilkes Barre.
As for the cuts there are no surprises. Luca Caputi did not have the camp that the Penguins wanted from him.
Dustin Jeffrey and Tim Wallace did not outperform forwards Chris Conner, Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Bayda which has led to their demotions.
Nick Johnson had a very strong camp but right now there’s not a spot for him until the Penguins move a veteran player.
more to come