Penguins Recall Thomas Di Pauli and Kevin Czuczman from WBS

Facing a further depleted roster thanks to the injury to Justin Schultz on Tuesday versus the Flames and the loss of Stefan Noesen, who was picked up on waviers by the Sharks, the Penguins today announced the call-ups of forward Thomas Di Pauli and defenseman Kevin Czuzman from Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

Di Pauli, who has yet to make his NHL debut, has four goals and five assists in 19 games for the Baby Pens.

The versatile forward was drafted in the fourth round by the Capitals in 2012, but didn’t sign with the team. The Penguins signed him as a free agent in 2016 and re-upped him to a minor league deal in 2019.

Regular defenseman call-up Zach Trotman is injured, which necessitates the need for the Penguins to recall Czuczman, who played in a smattering of games for the New York Islanders in 2013.

Czuczman has spent this season as an alternate captain in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scoring one goal and seven assists in 21 games.

In 357 career AHL games, the Ontario native has piled up 118 points (23G-95A).

Czuczman signed with the Penguins as a free agent in 2017 and again earlier this year. He has yet to appear in a game with the big club.

Neither Di Pauli or Czuczman is expected to draw into tonight’s game versus Edmonton. Although with the Penguins injury luck this season, anything is possible.