Conner, Johnson Re-Assigned To AHL

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 26, 12:13 PM | Hype this story!

Following his two-goal effort last night, 26-year-old winger Chris Conner has been returned to the AHL, according to the Penguins’ web site.

Along for the ride is rookie winger Nick Johnson, who played three games in his first stint in the NHL.

Both players fared well filling in as scoring line wingers and their demotions have more to do with numbers than anything else.

It remains to be seen if either player will be recalled for the team’s game Thursday night, as there is no update on Max Talbot’s status and Eric Godard left during the first period last night and did not return.

At this point in the season, salary cap space is at a premium, and sending Conner and Johnson to the AHL could be nothing more than a cap space saving measure.

If one or both of Talbot and Godard remains sidelined, it would seem likely one or both of Conner and Johnson will be recalled in time for Thursday’s game.

Comments

  1. Ray aka WildcatRay

    Jan 26, 03:53 PM

    Matt,

    Do you know if there is a limit on the number of times a player can be send up and down or is it not limited like in MBL?

  2. Pens1967

    Jan 26, 03:53 PM

    Matt, I think the fact that the Pens don’t have a game until Thursday probably played into the decision to send them back, too. If WBS has games, then they can both play and be sharp in case they are needed back later in the week.

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jan 26, 04:56 PM

    @Ray, I believe the promotions/demotions are uncapped in terms of numbers per individual.

    @Pens, that’s entirely possible as well, though I suspect the primary reason has more to do with money than keeping the players fresh.

  4. Moq

    Jan 26, 07:14 PM

    There’s no limit to promotions/demotions. And as Matt also points out, it’s almost certainly a money move. Every dollar saved increases in value at the trade deadline. I call it “the Chicago shuffle” in honour of Jack Skille who did the demotion/promotion carousel numerous times earlier in the season.

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