Penguins Place Jason Zucker on IR, Recall Forward Josh Currie

On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan admitted winger Jason Zucker would be out longer-term. Zucker suffered a scary injury on Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals, so the Penguins placed him on IR retroactive to Feb. 23.

Zucker has seven points (4g, 3a) in 17 games this season. The Penguins acquired Jason Zucker from the Minnesota Wild in February 2020 in exchange for a first-round pick, defenseman prospect Calen Addison and Alex Galchenyuk.

To fill the spot, the Penguins recalled forward Josh Currie from the taxi squad, according to general manager Ron Hextall.

And forward Anthony Angello has been re-assigned to the taxi squad.

Currie, 28, has played in 21 NHL games, all with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2018-19 season. Currie scored two goals and three assists for five points and was a plus-2 in his 21 games.

From the Pittsburgh Penguins release:

After signing with Pittsburgh on October 9, 2020, the 5-foot-10, 172-pound Currie was named captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. In three games with WBS this season, Currie has notched two goals.

Currie, a Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island native, has played a total of 300 AHL games split between WBS and the Bakersfield Condors, tallying 190 points (105G-85A). In each of his last three seasons with Bakersfield, Currie reached the 40-point mark.

Prior to turning pro, Currie had a successful four-year career with the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he served as captain his final two seasons. In 237 career contests, he recorded 185 points (97G-88A). 

Pittsburgh continues along its four-game road trip tonight against the Washington Capitals. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.