The Pittsburgh Penguins made a strategic move on Sunday, recalling forward Joona Koppanen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team in the American Hockey League (AHL). This decision comes as a result of a corresponding transaction, where rookie forward Rutger McGroarty was activated and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. This isn't Koppanen's first time being recalled to the NHL roster this season; he was previously summoned on November 6th and played in 10 games, recording one assist while averaging 12:28 of ice time per contest. Primarily deployed as a left winger on the fourth line, he was returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 9th after clearing waivers. At the AHL level, Koppanen, a left-handed player, has appeared in 22 games and scored 11 points (six goals, five assists) while primarily skating as a center. Koppanen, 27, is signed to a one-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000. McGroarty, who missed the past six games due to a concussion, was cleared for contact on Saturday. At the NHL level, McGroarty has appeared in 16 games and has three points (two goals, one assist) while averaging 12:13 of ice time per contest. He has primarily been deployed on the left wing of the third line. After missing the first five-plus weeks of the regular season due to a separate undisclosed injury, McGroarty was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on November 15th. After appearing in five AHL games and posting seven points (four goals, three assists), he was recalled to the NHL club on December 1st. Considering him one of the Penguins' top prospects, the 21-year-old McGroarty is in the second year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $950,000. Additionally, Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson participated in a non-contact practice session in Cranberry, currently designated to injured reserve. He has missed the past three games due to an undisclosed malady but will travel with the team for an upcoming four-game road trip throughout the western reaches of North America.
