Penguins News: P.O Joseph to WBS on Conditioning Assignment

TAMPA, Fla — The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting defenseman P.O Joseph ready to join the lineup, but he’ll have a detour.

The Penguins sent Joseph to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a conditioning assignment Tuesday. Joseph was to be in the Penguins lineup on Nov. 18 against the Carolina Hurricanes, but coach Mike Sullivan said the player didn’t feel healthy enough to play. Joseph was retroactively placed on IR.

He hasn’t played since struggling against the San Jose Sharks in the Penguins’ 10-2 win on Nov. 4. He began skating with the team over the last several days and took part in the optional morning skate at the Wells Fargo Center before the Penguins game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Penguins lost 2-1 in overtime.

Per NHL rules, a conditioning assignment may last 14 days. The player counts against the 23-man roster, and his salary counts against the salary cap.

Joseph, 24, has played in only five games this season. He lost his starting spot on the Penguins’ third defense pairing to Ryan Shea.