Penguins recall Bennett

Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:41

Written by Shelly Anderson

The Penguins brought winger Beau Bennett to Pittsburgh to have a recent injury evaluated. Now they have decided to recall the 2010 first-round draft pick.

Bennett watched Wednesday's win over Ottawa in street clothes, but his recall became official this morning. He could make his NHL debut as early as Friday night in a game at Winnipeg.

Bennett, 21 and a first-year pro, has 18 assists, 25 points in 35 American Hockey League games this season. He has a ton of skill and been seen as a potential left winger for center Evgeni Malkin. However, Matt Cooke was put in that spot during Wednesday's game and played well, including an assist.

It will be interesting to see how the Penguins configure their lines in practice later this morning at Southpointe and for the game at Winnipeg. The Penguins for most of the past several months seemed to think Bennett needed a full season of AHL games to be ready for the NHL. That, obviously, has changed.