Penguins Re-Assign Blandisi, Di Pauli and Czuczman

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-assigned forwards Joseph Blandisi and Thomas Di Pauli, and defenseman Kevin Czuczman to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday, according to Penguins GM Jim Rutherford.

Blandisi scored his second goal of the season on Friday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Blandisi exited the penalty box and had a breakaway goal in the Penguins 5-2 win over Edmonton. This season Blandisi has four points, including two goals in 16 games.

The moves clear the roster for additional returns such as Sidney Crosby or Nick Bjusgstad after the holiday break. It also saves the Penguins precious salary cap dollars, if only a few. The Penguins next game is Friday in Nashville.

More from the Pittsburgh Penguins press release:

Di Pauli, 25, has skated in 19 games for WBS this season, recording four goals, five assists and nine points. He did not dress in either of the games he was recalled for with Pittsburgh.

In 127 career AHL games, all with WBS, the Woodbridge, Illinois native has tallied 25 goals, 21 assists, and 46 points.

Czuczman, 28, has played in 13 NHL games, all with the New York Islanders in 2013-14, recording two assists. He also did not appear in any games with the Penguins during his recall.

This season with WBS as an alternate captain, the six-foot-two, 205-pound Czuczman tallied one goal, seven assists, eight points and a plus-6 in 21 games.

The Penguins return to action on Friday, December 27, in Nashville, as they take on the Predators following a five-day holiday break. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM ET.