TAMPA, Fla. — Rookie forwards Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty have been recalled and re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins several times over the last week.
Thursday, the team re-assigned them to WBS ahead of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena, even though McGroarty had a full dressing stall for the morning skate.
McGroarty, 22, has played only one NHL game since the Olympic break. He played 10:41 in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on March 28. This season, McGroarty has dressed for 21 NHL games, scoring two goals with three assists.
Koivunen, 22, has also been on a roller coaster in and out of the lineup, but also with inconsistent play. Koivunen also last played on March 28. In 36 NHL games this season, Koivunen has seven points (2-5-7).
Caleb Jones
Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones was a positive story during training camp. The Penguins signed him to a two-year free agent deal on July 1, but with a mere $900,000 average annual value.
He made the team out of camp and was a primary starter on defense through the first couple of weeks of the season. He had one assist in seven games, but suffered a lower-body injury that caused him to miss several months. On the eve of his return on Feb. 4, Jones tested positive for a performance enhancing substance, and the NHL suspended him for 20 games.
Jones told reporters he thought he had been exposed to a contaminated substance while undergoing exosome therapy, and did not appeal his suspension.
His suspension ended this week, but he will not play again this season for the Penguins. Coach Dan Muse said Jones will be out for the remainder of the season with an injury and that a statement would be forthcoming. As of publishing, the Penguins have not yet released the statement.
The Penguins visit the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday.
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