Penguins add Boychuk

Thursday, 31 January 2013 12:41

Written by Dave Molinari

The Penguins have claimed left winger Zach Boychuk off waivers from Carolina.

He is scheduled to join them for practice Friday and could get work on Evgeni Malkin's line, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Boychuk, 23, did not have a point in one game with the Hurricanes this season, and has seven goals and 11 assists in 73 career NHL games.

He was Carolina's first-round draft choice, 14th overall, in 2008.

Boychuk is versatile and reputed to be a hard working, but his size (5 feet 10, 185 pounds) is relatively modest.

"He's got speed to his game," coach Dan Bylsma said. "He has limited NHL experience, but he's going to add some competition in our lineup."

General manager Ray Shero said injured defenseman Matt Niskanen has been placed on injured-reserve, so the Penguins do not have to clear a spot on their 23-man roster for Boychuk.

If the time comes when they have an extra body, Boychuk might well end up competing with Eric Tangradi for a spot on the major-league roster.

"It's an opportunity for him," Shero said. "We'll take the chance and see where it goes.

"You're always looking to add to your group (of players), if possible. He's a younger player and we'll see how he does."

Bylsma said left winger Chris Kunitz missed the game-day skate at Madison Square Garden because he was a "little but under the weather," but that he is expected to play against the New York Rangers tonight.

He also confirmed that defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will make his season debut tonight, but declined to say whether Ben Lovejoy is the guy he will replace.