The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defensemen Micki DuPont and Alain Nasreddine from their American Hockey League affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Penguins have assigned defenseman Noah Welch to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, it was announced Monday by general manager Ray Shero.
DuPont, 26, has played in 18 NHL games with the Calgary Flames (2001-03). DuPont played for Canada in last year’s World Championships, recording one assist in nine games. He has recorded three goals, nine assists and 29 penalty minutes in 23 games this season with Wilkes-Barre.
Nasreddine, 31, has appeared in 24 NHL games, including six with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. He has played in 19 games this season with Wilkes-Barre, recorded three goals, five assists and 25 penalty minutes.
Welch, 24, has played in 17 games this season with the Penguins. He has recorded one goal, one assist and 20 penalty minutes. Before being recalled to the Penguins, Welch played five games this season for Wilkes-Barre, recorded one goal, two assists and six penalty minutes. http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/press/arts/2172.0.php
Buzzontheburgh’s Penguin Notebook
I really like the call up of Micki Dupont. Thought he should have made the team out of training camp but the odds were stacked against him because he is a unknown player. The benefit of Dupont is he is a right handed defenseman and is very good in the transition game. The demotion of Noah Welch is not surprising. Welch hasn’t looked like the player from last year and now Welch looks like a young component Ray Shero may be willing to trade in the future.
No teams have picked up John Leclair yet but my guess is it’s going to be the Canucks or the Rangers.
