The Pittsburgh Penguins will send a forward to the American Hockey League as he recovers from hand surgery.

PITTSBURGH – It’s been almost a month since Jansen Harkins skated in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup, all due to a hand injury that required surgery. Harkins injured his hand during a fight with Washington Capitals forward Beck Malenstn and has been absent from the Penguins roster since.

Harkins has been working his way back to full health with solo skates and recently joined a handful of his teammates during an optional practice. That was his first practice after being cleared for full contact.

Positive steps have been taken in his recovery, and Harkins will soon return to the ice, but not at the NHL level. Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Harkins is set to be sent to the American Hockey League for a conditioning stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Harkins has played 11 games at the AHL level this season with four goals and five assists for nine total points. Things haven’t gone as smoothly at the NHL level, however, with no goals in 43 games.

When Harkins is ready to return, it’s unlikely he will make his way back to the Penguins lineup. The Penguins need players who can help, and Harkins hasn’t had what it takes; other notable faces have outperformed Harkins at every turn.

The Penguins have made good use of conditioning stints this year with multiple key players taking brief stints with WBS.

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