NEW YORK — The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled defenseman Zach Trotman on Thursday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Trotman, 29, has appeared in eight AHL games this season and has five points (two goals, three assists). He opened the season on long-term injured reserve because of a sports hernia.
A veteran of five NHL seasons, the right-handed Trotman appeared in 13 games with the NHL Penguins last season and recorded one assist.
Trotman’s recall comes a day after defenseman Justin Schultz left Wednesday’s practice early for undisclosed reasons. Schultz and Kris Letang, sidelined for the past six games because of an undisclosed injury, are the team’s top two right-handed defensemen.
If Schultz is absent for Thursday’s road game against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center, it could give a defenseman Chad Ruhwedel an opportunity to make his season debut. The right-handed Ruhwedel has been scratched for all 21 of the team’s games.
With Trotman’s recall and Patric Hornqvist potentially being activated from injured reserve, the team placed forward Nick Bjugstad on injured reserve. He has missed the past two games because of an undisclosed ailment and is expected to be sidelined “longer term,” according to coach Mike Sullivan. Hornqvist has been absent for seven games because of an undisclosed injury.
The Penguins canceled their morning skate Thursday.
