The Penguins have assigned forward Vinnie Hinostroza and defenseman Ryan Shea to their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club, the team announced today. Both players recently cleared waivers.
I’ve expressed my surprise on numerous occasions that Hinostroza didn’t gain more traction with the Pens. Diligent and speedy, with the versatility to play all three forward positions and up-and-down the lineup, I thought for sure he’d be a Mike Sullivan favorite.
However, following a two-point black-and-gold debut during the 10-2 shellacking of the Sharks back on November 4, the Chicago native struggled to produce, tallying a lone assist over his next dozen games.
Metrics-wise, the 29-year-old hustler was a little below the norm with a Corsi of 48.36 and an expected goals for percentage of 43.54.
Shea (pictured above), an unprepossessing 26-year-old rookie defenseman, was mostly steady during his 22 games with the Pens while displaying a penchant for making the smart, safe play. Although regarded as a decent puck-mover, the 6’2” 200-pounder failed to register a point. With only 13 hits, Shea wasn’t especially physical.
Regarded as one of the top defensemen in the AHL last season (plus-36), the former fourth-round pick of the Blackhawks will rejoin fellow blueliner and former Texas Stars teammate Will Butcher with the Baby Pens. Hopefully providing a boost to the Baby Pens’ back line.
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