Penguins
Penguins Re-Assign Puljujarvi, Crosby Related? Best Call-Up Options

The Pittsburgh Penguins have again re-assigned Jesse Puljujarvi to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The team waived Puljujarvi, 26, on Dec. 30 but did not immediately re-assign him; at the time, coach Mike Sullivan indicated waiving the Finnish winger was in fairness to the player to make him available to a team that would play him at the NHL level. However, Puljujarvi was unclaimed.
Since being waived and recalled, Puljujarvi has played in five NHL games, registering one assist and four shots while averaging 11:32 of ice time.
Since Puljujarvi cleared waivers less than 30 days ago, he does not need to clear again and can be immediately sent to WBS.
The Penguins did not announce a corresponding roster move, but Wednesday Penguins coach Mike Sullivan announced that center Sidney Crosby is being evaluated for an upper-body injury after an awkward collision with a pair of New Jersey Devils defenders Tuesday. Evgeni Malkin also remains on injured reserve.
The Penguins currently have 22 of the maximum 23 players on their roster. Should the Penguins need a center for their upcoming back-to-back games with the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, the team could call up Vasily Ponomarev, Sam Poulin, or Joona Koppanen.
Top WBS center Tristan Broz has not played since Dec. 28 and has been out due to illness (mononucleosis). Ponomarev, who was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Jake Guentzel trade last March, played three NHL games with the Penguins this season without registering a point. He has 27 points (11-16-27) in 30 AHL games.
Poulin was the Penguins first-round pick in 2019. He’s played six NHL games this season with one assist. In 32 AHL games, Poulin has 18 points (9-9-18).
If the Penguins don’t need a center, winger Ville Koivunen was named the AHL rookie of the month Wednesday. Koivunen posted nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 12 games during January, including two hat tricks. The skilled winger has played increasingly well this season and may be in line for a call up as the Penguins search for additional scoring beyond the Crosby line.