Penguins News: Puustinen, 2 More Recalled; Nylander Demoted

SUNRISE, Fla — The Pittsburgh. Penguins were busy on Friday afternoon. The struggling team, which has lost three straight (0-1-2), including a lifeless loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, took a big swing with prospects.

Alex Nylander, who has struggled when called upon this season, and is pointless in five games, was sent back to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. So, too, was Joona Koppanen, who was centering the fourth line.

Forward Noel Acciari was placed on IR.

However, the bigger news might be the recalls. Valtteri Puustinen, Marc Johnstone, and Jonathan Gruden were recalled.

Puustinen, 24, has long been mentioned as a potential scoring forward but has not yet realized his NHL potential. The former seventh-rounder has played just one career NHL game and has one assist

Puustinen has 10 points this season (5-5-10) in 22 games. He had 59 points, including 24 goals, in 72 games last season with the WBS Penguins.

Johnstone, 27, is in his fourth professional season after a four-year career at Sacred Heart University, preceded by a couple of seasons in the USHL and a couple of seasons in the NAHL.

Johnstone has five points (2-3-5) in 21 games with the WBS Penguins. He has not yet made his NHL debut.

Gruden, 23, has three games of NHL experience but has not yet scored his first NHL point. Gruden has played center at the NHL level. He also has 10 points (5-5-10) in 21 games with WBS.

The Penguins visit the Florida Panthers Friday at Amerant Bank.