Penguins Shuffle; Bunting Out with Appendicitis, Imama Ready to Bring It

CRANBERRY, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins were dealt another little blow Thursday. As if recent soul-crushing losses to the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers weren’t enough, the team got some surprising news on the injury front, too.

Winger Michael Bunting will be out after having his appendix removed.

Coach Mike Sullivan said there wasn’t yet a time frame for Bunting’s return, but the absence won’t be long-term. Sullivan termed the absence as “the next little while.”

This season, Bunting has 29 points, including 14 goals in 58 games. The Penguins have 22 games remaining.

Boko

For the first time since the break, the Penguins will have tough-guy winger Boko Imama available. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound winger does not shy from physical contact or fighting.

In 21 career NHL games split between the Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and Arizona Coyotes, Imama has four fights, including most recently against Liam O’Brien of the Utah Hockey Club.

“(Fighting, playing physically) just kind of came a little bit naturally during my junior time. And I knew that was an edge I had against my opponents, and I just used it,” Imama said Thursday. “And yeah, I’ve been finding success this way. So I’m going to stick to that game plan.”

Imama has played in six games for the Penguins this season. His next NHL game will set a career-high. Fighting has come naturally to the big man. While playing junior hockey in the QMJHL, Imama told PHN that NHL scouts planted the idea that he should learn to drop the gloves.

Coaches in Saint John reinforced the idea that his path to the NHL would include fisticuffs. However, Imama is not without hockey skills, either.

In 24 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he notched five points with three goals.

“I do believe that you definitely need (physicality). I think there are a lot of factors in a game, not just skills,” Imama said. “And so I absolutely think that physical has a place, that it’s a big part of today’s game.”

Penguins Notes

P.O Joseph and Vladislav Kolyachonok remained on the ice well after the rest of the Penguins, indicating both will be scratched Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Joseph was a minus-4 Tuesday against Philadelphia. Kolyachonok has not yet made his Penguins debut after the team claimed him on waivers just before the Four Nations break.

It seems Emil Bemstrom will be the call-up when Matt Nieto clears waivers or is claimed at 2 p.m. Bemstrom had a locker stall in the Penguins room Thursday. He is scoreless in two NHL games this season but drew positive reviews for his play in the final two games before the break.

He was second in the AHL in scoring at the time of his call-up before the break.