Penguins/NHL
Team reduces roster to 42
It was a bit odd this morning when top prospect Simon Despres wasn’t listed in tonight’s lineup card, considering there has been no indications that he’s injured and now we know why.
The Penguins this afternoon announced that they have re-assigned Despres and 10 others to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Joining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are forwards Brandon DeFazio, Brian Gibbons, Ben Street, Paul Thompson and Geoff Walker; defensemen Simon Despres, Alex Grant, Joey Mormina, Philip Samuelsson and Carl Sneep; and goaltender Patrick Killeen.
Forwards Tom Kuhnhackl (Windsor, Ontario Hockey League) and Dominik Uher (Spokane, Western Hockey League) were returned to their respective junior teams, reducing the roster by 13.
The Penguins have 42 players remaining on their training camp roster (27 forwards; 13 defensemen; 4 goaltenders).
Aside from Despres, there were no surprises among the Penguins moves. 2011 first round pick Joe Morrow and second round pick Scott Harrington remain with the team. Harrington is scheduled to play tonight and will be paired with Ben Lovejoy.
Just last season, the Penguins flirted with the idea of Despres opening the season with the big club for the first nine games of the season.
He is expected to play top pairing minutes in Wilkes Barre.
