The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned defenseman Dmitri Samorukov to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Tuesday after he cleared waivers.
This maneuver provides roster flexibility and allowed the team to formally activate defenseman P.O Joseph from injured reserve.
The Penguins signed Samorukov to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 on Nov. 21 but he has yet to play in an NHL contest for the club and has been a healthy scratch for the past nine games.
Originally joining the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a one-year AHL contract on July 31, the left-handed Samorukov was one of that team’s better defensemen in the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign. In 15 AHL contests this season, Samorukov has five points (one goal, four assists).
Joseph is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday’s home game against the Arizona Coyotes. He has missed the past 16 games due to an undisclosed injury.
