Penguins recall goaltender Joel Blomqvist from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
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With starting goaltender Tristan Jarry’s status uncertain, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Thursday in advance of a road game against the Los Angeles Kings.
He is expected to back up starter Magnus Hellberg.
During a 2-0 road win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, Jarry appeared to suffer a head injury in the second period and was replaced by Hellberg.
Coach Mike Sullivan said Thursday that after further testing went well for Jarry, the goaltender’s status is day to day because of swelling around his eye that impedes his vision.
In nine games this season, Jarry has a 4-5-0 record, a 2.51 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and two shutouts.
Jarry is the second Penguins goaltender to be sidelined this season. Backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic suffered an undisclosed ailment during a 4-1 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Oct. 24 and was placed on long-term injured reserve the next day, prompting Hellberg’s recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Per NHL rules, Nedeljkovic can not rejoin the active roster until Nov. 19.
Blomqvist is considered one of the top prospects in the organization (from a shallow pool of candidates).
A second-round selection (No. 52 overall) in the 2020 NHL draft — the Penguins acquired that pick in a trade that sent former starting goaltender Matt Murray to the Ottawa Senators — Blomqvist is in his first full season in North America.
The Finnish-born Blomqvist has appeared in seven AHL games this season and has a 4-2-0 record, a 1.91 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
Blomqvist, 21, is in the first year of a three-year entry-level contract that carries a salary cap hit of $886,667.
In two corresponding transaction, the Penguins assigned forward Vinnie Hinostroza to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and placed rookie defenseman John Ludvig on long-term injured reserve according to Cap Friendly.
Hinostroza has appeared in two NHL games this season and scored two points (one goal, one assist) while averaging 9:10 of ice time. With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, Hinostroza has played in five games and has four points (two goals, two assists). A right-handed shot, Hinostroza is signed to a one-year contract worth $775,000.
Ludvig has been sidelined since suffering a concussion Oct. 24 in his NHL debut. With a designation to long-term injured reserve, he is not eligible to rejoin the active roster until Nov. 19.
Note: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Andreas Johnsson cleared waivers, a formality required for the Pittsburgh Penguins to terminate his contract, a one-year deal worth $800,000. Shortly after his NHL contract was terminated, Johnsson, a native of Sweden, signed with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League, agreeing to a contract through 2027. … Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Raivis Ansons has been assigned to Wheeling of the ECHL. A fifth-round pick (No. 149 overall) in 20202, Ansons has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on March 17. Officially, Ansons opened the season designated to the NHL club’s injured non-roster list.