Blandisi Recalled After Bjugstad Injured, Crosby Placed on IR

(PHN) — The injury news may get worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Center Nick Bjugstad appeared to suffer a lower body injury in the second period Friday in the Penguins 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, and did not finish the game. Saturday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins made some roster moves so they have a full roster Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford announced the Penguins recalled forward Joseph Blandisi from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an emergency basis and the Penguins placed Sidney Crosby on IR.

Blandisi, 25, appeared in seven games during his first emergency recall beginning Oct. 11. He tallied two points (1g, 1a) on a line with Sam Lafferty and fellow recall Adam Johnson. Blandisi has played eight games with the WBS Penguins and scored four points (2g, 2a).

In his career with New Jersey, Anaheim, and the Penguins, Blandisi has played 87 NHL games. He has 28 points, including nine goals. He set career highs with the New Jersey Devils 2015-16, which was his rookie season. He had 17 points including five goals.

The Penguins are the third most injured team in the NHL, according to ManGamesLost.com, but the Penguins have suffered the most significant injuries in the league. San Jose and Edmonton have more man-games lost but not the same quality, according to the website. Crosby, Kris Letang, Patric Hornqvist and perhaps Nick Bjugstad are out with injuries. Evgeni Malkin, Alex Galchenyuk, Brian Dumoulin, and Bryan Rust have missed weeks of action.

Blandisi, who is nicknamed “the blender” for his speedy and sometimes reckless abandon, figures to play Saturday as the Penguins do not have an extra forward.