The Penguins made one of the strangest roster announcements I’ve seen in a while, announcing the team has assigned Eric Tangradi to Wheeling of the ECHL and have recalled goaltender Patrick Killeen to get their roster to 23.
The Penguins announced this evening that the team assigned left wing Eric Tangradi to Wheeling of the ECHL and defenseman Simon Despres to Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Penguins recalled goaltender Patrick Killeen from Wheeling.
Tangradi was told by management that he made the team as about a dozen family members are coming in for tomorrow’s game.
“I will be there tomorrow, nothing but smiles since I found out the decision, ” Tangradi said following Wednesday’s practice after being informed that he made the team.
Tangradi skated on the Penguins second line with Mike Comrie and Evgeni Malkin today.
Pittsburgh also placed forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel and defenseman Alex Grant on the injured reserve list and center Jordan Staal on the injured-non roster list.
The transactions set the team’s 23-man roster: 13 forwards; seven defensemen; and three goaltenders.
Updated 7:25 p.m. – Team source tells me Tangradi will be back up with the team tomorrow but info has been scarce on the reason for the moves.