Bad News on Injury Front? Pens Making Recall(s)

10:48pm UPDATE: Source confirms Adam Johnson will indeed be recalled, but I’m told it’s a transactional recall. Casey DeSmith is waiting in limbo based on Jarry’s health. Zach Trotman is unlikely to be recalled.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers radio broadcast Wednesday night reported that WBS Penguins forward Adam Johnson will be recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Thursday.

The move likely indicates center Carter Rowney will not be available against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday. Rowney played only four minutes against the Flyers before leaving the game.

Johnson, 22, is a college hockey player (Minnesota-Duluth) playing his first professional season.  He played center in the preseason and impressed coaches, who gave Johnson a hard look to make the opening night roster.

Johnson had two goals in three preseason games and 14 points (3g, 11a) in 26 AHL games. He was the primary assist on a pair of Daniel Sprong’s goals, last Friday before Sprong’s recall.

Bridgeport radio reporting Adam Johnson will be recalled to Pittsburgh tomorrow.

— SinBinPenguins (@SinBinPenguins) January 4, 2018

The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins also scratched defenseman Zach Trotman and goaltender Casey DeSmith, Wednesday night. The moves could mean the Penguins will make additional recalls to plug holes left by injuries to defenseman Brian Dumoulin and goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Trotman has played three games with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season and has played 70 career games in the NHL. Trotman did not record a point in his three games with the Penguins but has 12 career NHL points.

DeSmith’s arrival would indicate Jarry’s cut and bruise are severe enough to keep him out at least one game. Jarry left Tuesday night with about 5 minutes remaining in the second period. His departure followed a scramble in front of the Penguins net. Jarry reached to cover the puck but became tangled in skates and bodies.

DeSmith made his NHL debut earlier this season after the Penguins waived backup goalie Antti Niemi. DeSmith made two relief appearances, including a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, on December 9. He stopped 8 of 9 shots in 38 minutes.

And, as an awesome sidenote, former Penguins goalie Sebastien Caron, who lives in the Wilkes Barre area served as the WBS Penguins backup goalie, Wednesday night. Caron last played in the NHL for Tampa Bay in 2012. He retired from the German league in 2016.

Updates

The Penguins are expected to provide updates tomorrow after their morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. They’ll face the Hurricanes, who dominated the Penguins last Friday, at 7 pm.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now will have new contributor Shelly Anderson at the skate to provide up to the minute updates. Follow us @pghhockeyNOW and Shelly at @_shellyanderson