With Penguins Finally Healthy, Lafferty Returned To AHL

Something, or someone, had to give with the Pittsburgh Penguins getting back to full health. That turned out to be promising forward Sam Lafferty, who Thursday was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Lafferty, who is from Hollidaysburg in central Pennsylvania and grew up a Penguins fan, was among a group of players promoted when the Penguins were dealing with a slew of injuries to their forwards. With center Evgeni Malkin on track to return Saturday afternoon when the Edmonton Oilers visit PPG Paints Arena, the team will finally be back to full health.

Lafferty, 24, certainly made the most of his first 10 NHL games after being recalled Oct. 8., He had three goals, three assists, including two multiple-point games. He earned compliments from coach Mike Sullivan and his Penguins teammates.

He was a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. It’s easily anticipated he will get more chances in the NHL.