Penguins Demote F Tangradi In Surprise Move
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins have assigned forward Eric Tangradi to Wheeling of the ECHL, only hours after he skated on their second line in practice.
The Penguins did not explain why they demoted Tangradi, who was expected to play on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Mike Comrie during Thursday's opener against Philadelphia. Goaltender Patrick Killeen was recalled from Wheeling, although he is listed behind four other goalies on the depth chart.
The team is believed to be under the $59.4 million salary cap, so Tangradi's salary apparently wasn't an issue.
The Penguins still have time to make another move and bring back Tangradi for the opener.
Jordan Staal, unlikely to play for weeks because of a right foot infection, went on the injured non-roster list.
