With a game tonight against the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled prospect Derrick Pouliot from Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the AHL. This likely means that Ron Hainsey, injured in Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, won’t be able to go tonight.
Pouliot has spent time up with Pittsburgh in each of the last three seasons, playing a total of just eight games this year. The 23-year old was the eighth-overall pick in the 2012 draft, but has yet to establish himself as a consistent NHL player. The hopes are still sky-high for Pouliot, who was drafted one spot ahead of Jacob Trouba, the Winnipeg Jets star defender.
Pittsburgh will hope Pouliot can contribute a bit more this time around, as he has been held scoreless this year. A good puck moving defenseman in the AHL, he just hasn’t found that level of play yet in the NHL. He’ll have to do it quick though, as the Penguins are in a fight for the top of the Metropolitan Division, and need all hands on deck.
He can be a good player if management gives him a chance. He’s trying not to mess up so he isn’t making plays because he knows he’s in the dog house. I don’t think that Pittsburgh is the team that can give him the opportunity for him to find his stride as they are contenders who need contributions.