Clearing Space: Penguins Send Johnson, Blandisi Down to WBS

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting healthy and a couple of the players who admirably filled in for the Penguins walking wounded were returned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Monday afternoon. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford announced the club sent Adam Johnson and Joseph Blandisi to their AHL affiliate to make room for healthy NHL regulars.

The Penguins currently have 14 forwards on their NHL roster, including Evgeni Malkin and Alex Galchenyuk. Each will soon return to the lineup. Monday, Malkin said he aims for a Saturday return against the Edmonton Oilers.

Forward Sam Lafferty and defenseman John Marino are the remaining callups on the NHL roster. Marino, 22, was called up when forward Bryan Rust was placed on IR before the start of the regular season. Lafferty was the first forward called up from the WBS Penguins after Malkin and Nick Bjugstad were injured in the second game of the season.

From the Penguins press release:

Blandisi, 25, played seven games for the Pittsburgh Penguins after being called up on October 11, tallying two points (1G-1A) including the game-winning goal against Minnesota on October 12.

Johnson, 25, also appeared in seven games with the NHL club and recorded two points (1G-1A), all in his home state of Minnesota on October 12. Johnson has missed the past two games due to injury.

The Penguins begin a two-game homestand tomorrow night, October 29, when the Philadelphia Flyers come to PPG Paints Arena for the team’s annual ‘Halloween Theme Night.’ Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM. On Saturday, November 2, Pittsburgh hosts the Edmonton Oilers with puck drop at 1:00 PM.