Penguins Recall Kasper Bjorkqvist

Kasper Bjorkqvist is back with the Pittsburgh Penguins. According to GM Ron Hextall, the team recalled the winger on Wednesday morning.

Bjorkqvist played six games for the NHL club from Jan. 2-13. and scored his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 2. He also joined a unique club of six Pittsburgh Penguins who scored a goal in their first game. Brian Boyle, Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, Brock McGinn, and Radim Zohorna are the others.

This season, the 6-foot-1, 198-pound forward has appeared in 33 games for the WBS Penguins. He has six points, including four goals. Injuries have derailed much of Bjorkqvist’s professional career. He played only 44 career AHL games in three seasons and recorded eight points (6-2-8).

Because of COVID, he spent last season in Finland with KooKoo of Liiga. He played college hockey at Providence under head coach Nate Leahman. Kasper Bjorkqvist was the Penguins’ 2016 second-round choice (61st overall).

On Monday, the Penguins activated Drew O’Connor from the LTIR, then sent him and Radim Zohorna back to the WBS Penguins. The NHL did away with the taxi squad after the All-Star break.

The Penguins host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday at PPG Paints Arena.