PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens finalized their roster before the season opener on Tuesday night at Tampa Bay.
Sent to the minors are a trio of forwards-25-year-old Anthony Angello (19 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, +4 in 2021), 25-year-old Radim Zohorna (8 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, +4 in 2021) and 23-year-old Drew O’Connor (10 games, assist, -2).
That puts Hollidaysburg native Sam Lafferty on the opening roster. The 26-year-old winger battled mainly with O’Connor in camp. He is working to assume some of the duties left by Seattle taking Brandon Tanev in the expansion draft.
Pens will be without several on this current 23-man roster at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Sidney Crosby will miss the opening to his 17th season due to a wrist injury, but may be back next week. Crosby now tied with Mario Lemieux for the most seasons in franchise history. Evgeni Malkin will start his 16th season off the ice with a knee injury. Jake Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese will miss due to COVID-19 protocols.
There are only three newcomers from last year’s roster; that were division champions, forwards Danton Heinen, Brock McGinn and Dominik Simon. Simon returns after a year in Calgary. Simon spent his first five seasons with the Pens.
No change in net with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith as goalies.