Penguins Likely Not Done Dealing AHL Players

Thanks to an interesting wrinkle in the AHL's rules, the Pittsburgh Penguins might not be done making moves with their minor league roster.

The 2023-24 season is underway and the Pittsburgh Penguins have gotten the ball rolling by dealing away Mark Friedman to the Vancouver Canucks.

While the deal focused on AHL players with Friedman being dealt for Jack Rathbone, the Penguins might not be done making deals revolving around their minor league players.

There is an interesting wrinkle in the AHL’s roster rules that may force more trades to be made.

According to the AHL’s development rule, a team must dress at least 13 ‘developmental players’ in each game, that leaves six spots open for veteran players.

Of those 13 skaters, 12 of them must have played fewer than 260 games between the NHL, AHL, or professional European league; the last one must have played in fewer than 320 games.

While new president and general manager of the Penguins, Kyle Dubas, did a great job of building depth, he also may have overloaded with veteran talent.

Following the trade of Friedman, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins still have eight players that are considered veteran.

Those eight players consist of defensemen Taylor Fedun and Xavier Ouellet and forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Andreas Johnsson, Joona Koppanen, Alex Nylander, Colin White, and Radim Zohorna.

Koppanen and Zohorna are the only two players who have played fewer than 320 processional games.

Three veterans were scratched for each of the WBS Penguins first two games of the season.

Thanks to this rule and the stacked lineup, the Penguins may be forced to make a couple of extra moves.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

Newcomer Better Than Expected With Penguins

Penguins Acquire Defenseman from Canucks

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin off to Career-Best Start

ESPN Overlooks Penguins in Top Players List

Penguins PTO Signs AHL Contract