As reported here yesterday, the Penguins have indeed re-assigned Brett Sterling to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes Barre-Scranton. The move, not unlike my talk of the move yesterday, as set off a firestorm amongst Penguins’ fans. Most can’t see the point of re-assigning a player that they deem productive when the team is struggling to score goals.
Unfortunately for Sterling, he was deemed expendable by the Penguins recent acquisitions of James Neal and Alexei Kovalev. The numbers also worked against him in that a number of Penguins are on the mend and should be returning to the line-up soon.
He isn’t a player that can be effective playing in a third or fourth line role and the squad didn’t really have an opening on the top two lines for him. The fact that he is essentially a one dimensional guy has him on his way back to the A.
Here is the official release from the team…
PENGUINS RE-ASSIGN FORWARD BRETT STERLING
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forward Brett Sterling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
Sterling has appeared in seven games for Pittsburgh this season, recording three goals and five points.
Evilpens
February 27, 2011 at 8:38 am
Metz who the hell were the Pens scouting in the Columbus/Phoenix game a couple days ago ? Klesla,Filatov, Hejda or Upshall ?
Brian Metzer
February 27, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@Evilpens my guess would be Klesla, though I don’t really see them going that direction.
Walshy
February 27, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Oh I like mr Klesla….
Shame
Chris Reagan
March 1, 2011 at 2:02 am
During the first five games Sterling was producing and generating scoring chances with some decent ice time. He did not seem to be a defensive liability, why do you think he can’t make the cut on atleast the second line? Also has a history of playing on championship teams…..Thoughts?