Big Decision Coming up for Penguins
As injured players begin returning, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a tough decision to make.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in action tonight as they continue their three-game California road trip. But it was the news of what's taking place back in Pittsburgh that brought forward an interesting dilemma for Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan provided an injury update following practice yesterday, stating that both Alex Nedeljkovic and John Ludvig have begun skating as they look to return from injury.
The Penguins placed Nedeljkovic on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) after suffering a lower-body injury against the Dallas Stars on October 24th. With his salary cap removed, the Penguins recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg and forward Vinnie Hinostroza.
When Nedeljkovic returns from LTIR, the earliest being November 19th, similar roster moves will need to be made for the Penguins to remain salary cap compliant. Hellberg will likely go to the AHL, but who will join him?
Hinostroza is coming off his Penguins debut, scoring two points (1G-1A) against the San Jose Sharks. The 29-year-old replaced veteran forward Jeff Carter, bringing a burst of energy to a lifeless fourth line.
By the time Nedeljkovic is eligible to come off LTIR, Hinostroza will still be waivers exempt, making him the easiest player to send back to Wilkes-Barre but leave the Penguins with only 12 forwards on the NHL roster once again.
That's not to mention the possibility that Hinostroza performs well in the six games between now and then, making him more of an asset to the Penguins at the NHL level.
Another option for Dubas and company would be to send down one of their four bottom-pair defensemen. Ryan Shea, Chad Ruhwedel, P.O. Joseph, and John Ludvig have split time on the Penguins' third defense pair. All have seen mixed results this season, and the Penguins are seemingly testing out different combinations to figure out which gives them the best results.
All four players would need to pass through waivers before being assigned to the AHL, leaving Dubas with a decision to make. Does he risk losing one of those defensemen for nothing, or does he send down a forward that has revived, at least for now, their fourth line?
The upcoming six games may make that decision for the Penguins, but we will soon find out how much Dubas values having options on the blue line.
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