Penguins forward Andrew Agozzino more than ready for call-ups

DENVER — Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Andrew Agozzino from Wilkes-Barre to provide offensive depth before a three-game road swing at Las Vegas, Colorado and Arizona.

Agozzino, who shortly before being called up was named to the AHL All-Star Game, is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s leading scorer with 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 35 games.

The Penguins beat Las Vegas, 4-3, and Agozzino centered the Penguins’ fourth line, flanked by Alex Galchenyuk and Sam Lafferty.

Prior to this most recent call-up, the 29-year-old had joined the Penguins once in early October of 2019, logging 1 minute, 44 seconds of ice time in a 2-1 home victory against the Anaheim Ducks.

Against the Golden Knights, Agozzino saw his ice time climb to a healthy 9:48 as he recorded a hit and a blocked shot and saw 1:35 of action on the second power-play unit.

After the Penguins’ Thursday afternoon practice at Pepsi Center in Denver, coach Mike Sullivan commented on how Agozzino has settled into a role of quiet prominence on this current call-up.

“I thought he had a strong game (at Las Vegas) the other night, and that’s one of the reasons we played him the amount of minutes that he played,” Sullivan said.

“He brings a different dimension than some of the guys we’ve (called) up. He’s a good playmaker, he has good offensive instincts (and) he’s a guy we can use on the second power play. (Agozzino) brings something a little bit different than the other guys at this point, and based on the line combinations right now, we think he’s a pretty good fit for where we’re at. He had a good game the other night.”

Sullivan said there was more than met the eye regarding Agozzino’s meager ice time back in October.

“In Aggie’s defense, when he was first in the lineup, it was at the beginning of the year and I was trying to familiarize myself with his game,” Sullivan said. “We still were going through an adjustment process with some of the new players we had on the team. We were going through an injury bug at the same time, (and) we had a lot of guys (coming in) and out of the lineups. So in Aggie’s defense, there wasn’t a lot of control on his part in his first experience.”

Agozzino indicated the rapport has been good between he and his linemates.

“Sam and I played together in the preseason and at Wilkes-Barre a little bit, so I think we know each other’s games and are comfortable together,” Agozzino said. “When you have Alex there, who’s been in the NHL for years and is super skilled, it’s always nice to have a guy like that on your line who’s got a lot of experience.”

Before signing a two-way, two-year contract with the Penguins in early July, Agozzino had spent a good chunk of time within the Colorado Avalanche system. In 56 games with the Avs’ AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles, Agozzino led the team with points (60), goals (26) and assists (34).

Agozzino’s 426 career AHL games have helped ease the transition when he gets called up.

“When you’re like 22 and called up, it might be a little different as opposed to now that I’m a little older,” he said. “I understand the pressures, I feel comfortable and I’ve played in the NHL before. I’m confident.”

That said, in Agozzino’s case, being married with a eight-month old baby daughter, the perks of getting called up come with a familial caveat.

“The personal side of it is that I have a wife and a kid,” he said. “Obviously, they’re excited that I got called up, (but) the first thing is making sure they’re going to be taken care of and everything’s settled on their end. That’s something, as you get older — things change with call-ups.”

Heading into Friday night’s game, Agozzino is focused and steady.

“On my end, it’s about being prepared for whenever my name’s called,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many minutes the team needs me, I just need to be ready. When I go over the boards, I’m ready for whatever role I need to play and for whatever amount of time that is.”