With the Penguins now down a top-four defenseman in Marcus Pettersson, there are two defensemen most likely to get the call from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton After announcing that top-four defenseman Marcus Pettersson would be out week-to-week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-top-defenseman-out-week-to-week] after Monday's practice, the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] made some corresponding roster moves on Tuesday ahead of their tilt against the Los Angeles Kings. Pettersson has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and defenseman Nathan Clurman has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate. In 16 AHL games this season, Clurman has registered a goal and five points. While his offensive contributions aren't going to blow anyone out of the water, he is a sound defensive defenseman who can kill penalties, and this is the kind of role Penguins' defensemen will need to play in Pettersson's absence [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-top-defenseman-out-week-to-week]. Head coach Mike Sullivan said it came down to performance - as always - as well as the fact that they needed another right-side defenseman, as the Penguins don't like to play guys on their off-side if they don't have to. Sep 21, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (96) takes a shot on goal as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Nathan Clurman (4) defends during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNDY1NTIxODQ4MTMzNjIw/clurman-pre-season.jpg] Sep 21, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (96) takes a shot on goal as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Nathan Clurman (4) defends during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images "We need to have an extra defenseman in the event that something unforeseen happens so that we don't have to dress less," Sullivan said. "At the end of the day, performance matters, and the guys that are playing in Wilkes-Barre... that's how the conversation always begins on the guys that are deserving. Nate's played well for them. He's deserving of the call-up." In the unpredictable event that the Penguins would need another defenseman, Filip Kral (a left defenseman) and Mac Hollowell (a right defenseman) are also enjoying good seasons in Wilkes-Barre [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-prospect-update-5-players-to-keep-an-eye-on-right-now], with a combined three goals and 27 points in 35 games between the two of them. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNjYwNDIwMDI3OTUwOTI5/thnpitbanner.png]
