The Penguins have recalled center Sam Lafferty and left winger Andrew Agozzino from their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
The recalls were necessitated by injuries to centers Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad, both of whom Mike Sullivan said will be out "longer term" after being hurt during a 7-2 victory against the Blue Jackets Saturday. Both have been placed on injured reserve.
The recalls were done on an emergency basis, which is why the Penguins did not have an issue with exceeding the 23-man roster limit.
Lafferty, a Hollidaysburg native, did not record a point in the Baby Penguins' lone game so far this season. If, as expected, he is in the lineup when the Penguins face the Jets Tuesday at 7:08 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena, it will be his NHL debut. He was the Penguins' fourth-round draft choice in 2014. He had 13 goals and a team-leading 36 assists in 70 games last season. He is 6 foot 1, 195 pounds and is a candidate to center the third or fourth line, although he also can play the wing. It's possible that he will be used to kill penalties, as well.
Agozzino, 28, was signed as a free agent on July 1 after spending the previous two seasons in the Avalanche organization. He is 5 foot 10, 187 pounds and also was shut out in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's lone game this season. He had 26 goals and 34 assists in 56 games with the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, last season. He has one goal and four assists in 21 NHL games, all with Colorado, with which he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
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