Pittsburgh wanted to ensure they had an extra healthy forward on the active roster

The Pittsburgh Penguins' forward injuries keep piling up.

After his status was downgraded to week-to-week on Sunday by head coach Mike Sullivan, forward Kevin Hayes has been officially transferred to injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

In a corresponding move, forward Sam Poulin has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.

Poulin, 23, went unclaimed from waivers after Penguins' training camp. He has registered three goals and nine points in 11 games for WBS this season. 

"He's been one of their very best players," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's played extremely well, he's deserving of the call-up, and that is the biggest reason why he's here."

Hayes, who was acquired via trade from the St. Louis Blues during the offseason, has put up three goals and four points for the Penguins so far. The 32-year-old forward has been staple on the fourth line for the Penguins.

This move makes sense for the Penguins, who - because they are rostering three goaltenders - wouldn't have had an extra healthy forward in the event that Hayes wasn't placed on IR. Sullivan said this factored largely into their decision process.

"We only have 12 healthy forwards," Sullivan said. "So, we have the roster availability, the cap space, to have an extra forward in the event that in any last-minute emergencies, we want to make sure we have a sufficient lineup."