Penguins assign Valtteri Puustinen, Ryan Shea, John Ludvig to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned rookie forward Valtteri Puustinen and defenseman Ryan Shea to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Sunday. Additionally, rookie defenseman John Ludvig was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning assignment.

These transactions come on the first day of the Penguins’ seven-day break from team activities for their bye week as well as the NHL’s All-Star event.

Recalled to the NHL roster Dec. 8, Puustinen has appeared in 21 NHL games this season and has eight points (one goal, seven assists) while averaging 10:52 of ice time per contest.

The 24-year-old has also played in 18 AHL contests and posted 10 points (five goals, five assists).

Puustinen is signed to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000.

Shea has been shuffled between the NHL and AHL rosters repeatedly this season and has not played in an NHL contest since Dec. 8.

In the 22 NHL games he has played, he has no points while averaging 12:28 of ice time per contest.

The 26-year-old Shea has also appeared in four AHL games with no points. His most recent game of any type was a contest with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Dec. 29.

He is signed to a one-year one-way contract which has a salary cap hit of $775,000.

Ludvig is currently designated to long-term injured reserve due to an undisclosed ailment he suffered Dec. 31 and has missed the past 11 games.

In 19 NHL games this season, Ludvig has one assist while averaging 11:34 of ice time per contest. He has also played in two AHL games with no points.

Ludvig, 23, is in the first year of a two-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000.

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ next scheduled team activity is a practice session Feb. 4. During that break, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are scheduled to play three games.

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