The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned forwards Jonathan Gruden and Marc Johnstone to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Monday evening.
In corresponding transactions, forwards Noel Acciari and Rickard Rakell were activated from regular and long-term injured reserve, respectively.
Gruden has played in four NHL games this season and has no points while averaging 7:21 of ice time per contest. With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Gruden has appeared in 21 contests and scored 10 points (five goals, five assists).
A left-handed shot, Gruden is signed to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000.
Johnstone has participated in only one NHL game this season and has no points while logging 7:19 of ice time. With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he has played in 21 games and has five points (two goals, three assists).
The right-handed Johnstone is in the first year of a two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000.
Gruden and Johnstone were each recalled to the NHL roster Dec. 8 and do not need to clear waivers in order to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Acciari has missed the past seven games due to an undisclosed injury while Rakell has been sidelined for the previous 12 games due to a suspected right shoulder injury.
Additionally, forward Bryan Rust, who has missed four games due to an undisclosed injury, has been moved form regular injured reserve to long-term injured reserve. He will not be eligible to rejoin the active roster until a home game against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 2.
Players designated to long-term injured reserve must be sidelined for 10 games and 24 days on the NHL calendar.
