Penguins News: Tomasino Out; Roster Choices to Follow

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Pittsburgh Penguins will have a couple of roster choices to make beginning Sunday after the team announced winger Philip Tomasino is out week-to-week with a l0wer body injury.

Tomasino, 23, was injured in the second period of the Penguins 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. As he chased a puck into the Florida zone, he lost an edge and slid hard into the end wall, feet first. Tomasino needed to be helped off the ice, unable to put pressure on his right leg.

The Penguins acquired Tomasino from the Nashville Predators on Nov. 25 for a 2027 fourth-round pick. He had only one assist in 11 games with Nashville but has seven points (4-3-7) in 16 games with the Penguins.

The Penguins temporarily had two extra forwards, Anthony Beauvillier and Jesse Puljujarvi. Beauvillier assumed Tomasino’s spot at practice on Saturday. Puljujarvi cleared waivers last week but has remained with the team.

The team could send Puljujarvi to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and recall a young forward such as Rutger McGroarty.

Puljujarvi will assume the 13th forward role, though fans should not get their hopes up to see the 26-year-old. Coach Mike Sullivan indicated passing Puljujarvi through waivers was an attempt to give the player a chance to play elsewhere.

The Penguins face the Carolina Hurricanes Sunday at Lenovo Center. The puck drops at 6 p.m. Get the Penguins pregame here.