A quicky Penguins update.
Fiery defenseman Mark Friedman has cleared waivers (yes!) and will likely be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
However, in a rather curious development, the Pens have elected not to reclaim forward Radim Zohorna after he passed through waivers. Likely signaling an end to “Big Z’s” black-and-gold career.
In other moves, former first-round pick Samuel Poulin and goalie Filip Lindberg were sent to the Baby Pens yesterday. Both were training camp standouts. Both are waiver exempt.
As of this post, the Pens are presently at the 23-man roster limit but remain over the cap limit of $82.5 million by $780,175. Farming out waiver-exempt defenseman Ty Smith (AAV $863,333) to the Baby Pens would bring us into cap compliance.
However, by all indications Smith has earned a spot on the opening night roster.
Other candidates for re-assignment include veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, forward Josh Archibald and perennial defensive prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph, rumored to be on the trading block with no takers to date. All three would need to pass through waivers.
The Pens have until 5 p.m. Monday to become cap compliant.
BULLETIN: Smith to Baby Pens
According to reports published on Pittsburgh Hockey Now and the Tribune-Review, the Pens have elected to send Smith to the Baby Pens. A move that makes us cap compliant.
It appears the organization was unwilling to part with Joseph, who played a strong game against Buffalo Friday night. Earning him some praise from Mike Sullivan.
“…I thought it was P.O’s best game for sure,” said the Pens’ coach. “And, you know, I thought he got better as the camp went on. And it’s encouraging to see him have a game like this…”
It remains to be seen whether POJ or Ruhwedel open the season on the third pairing next to Jan Rutta, a slot occupied almost exclusively by Smith during the preseason.
