Penguins Notebook: Jarry IN, Letang Out, Why Pens Called Up Prospects

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Kris Letang is home sick, Blake Lizotte has a concussion, and Matt Nieto’s 12-month injury odyssey appears to be ending.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan updated the current list of injuries after the morning skate at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins will face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday evening. The remainder of the injury list is status quo, as Cody Glass remains in the concussion protocol, and Kevin Hayes remains out week-to-week.

Letang’s absence forced Sullivan and assistant coach David Quinn to switch up the Penguins’ defense pairings. Jack St, Ivany will assume a top-four role and play alongside Matt Grzelcyk, while Ryan Shea and Ryan Graves stay on the third pairing, as they did Wednesday. Marcus Pettersson skated with Erik Karlsson on what figures to be the top pair.

However, the first big development was Sullivan announcing that goalie Tristan Jarry would make his first start since returning from his 14-day conditioning assignment with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Jarry has not started an NHL game since Oct. 16 against the Buffalo Sabres, in which Sullivan pulled him in the first period after allowing three goals (The Penguins rallied to win 6-5 in overtime).

Jarry is 8-1-1 in his career against Columbus but has a meager .836 save percentage in three games this season.

The injuries weren’t the biggest developments from the Penguins’ morning skate at Nationwide Arena. The transformation of the Penguins team and organization took another step forward with the recent recall of prospects Vasily Ponomarev on Thursday and top defenseman prospect Owen Pickering on Friday morning.

Read More: Penguins Former Top Pick Pickering Admits Struggle; Gains 20 Pounds of Muscle

While neither was part of the primary line rushes at the skate, Sullivan laid out the reasons for their recall, and it’s not just ceremonial.

“We’ll see where it goes. But the guys that are here, for example, a guy like (Pickering) that’s played extremely well in Wilkes-Barre, it’s an opportunity for him to get rewarded for his efforts,” Sullivan said. “The other aspect of it is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton doesn’t play a lot of games over the next eight to 10 days. And so it gives us an opportunity to get these guys assimilated with the NHL group. And that’s always good for any young player. And we’ll make decisions on a game-to-game basis on what lineup we think gives us the best chance to win.”

The absence of a team practice since either received the recall from WBS is a likely mitigating factor keeping them from the lineup, but the Penguins will practice on Monday. That quirk in the AHL schedule has WBS playing just a couple of games each week for the next couple of weeks.

Pickering has one goal in 12 AHL games, his first professional season. Ponomarev suffered an injury in the Penguins training camp and has played only five AHL games this season.

The Penguins’ increasingly tattered forwards crew may well yield an opportunity to Ponomarev sooner than later.

Matt Nieto

Penguins fans may have forgotten Nieto. He played just 24 games, primarily on the Penguins’ fourth line, last season before suffering a serious knee injury. He had surgery, a setback, and another surgery.

It’s been almost a full year since Nieto played an NHL game, but based on the morning skate, he will be in the lineup. His inclusion also means the Penguins will active him from the LTIR list.

“We’re thrilled for him. Couldn’t be happier,” Sullivan said. He’s gone through a lot to get himself back into this position. He’s just a terrific teammate and a popular guy in our room. (Nieto) brings juice, he’s fast and tenacious. He’s also a really good penalty killer–before he got hurt last year, he and (Noel Acciari) were a tandem on the penalty kill. They were exceptional together.

Nieto scored a goal in the first minute of his first game with WBS.

“Obviously (I’m) really excited. It’s been a long year, but I’m excited to get back out there with the guys and compete,” said Nieto.

According to Puckpedia.com, the Penguins have just under $1.9 million in salary cap space, which would be enough to activate Nieto, who has a $900,000 annual cap hit.

Last season, Nieto had four points (1-3-4) in 24 games.

Penguins Lines

Get the full pregame story with lines, notes, and stats in our Penguins Game Day post.

Anthony Beauvillier-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust

Jesse Puljujarvi-Drew O’Connor-Sam Poulin

Matt Nieto-Noel Acciari-Valtteri Puustinen

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

Goalies: Tristan Jarry

Alex Nedeljkovic