Penguins Recall Andrew Hutchinson; Michalek and Orpik Hurt

[thepolishkid88]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Hutchinson recorded a goal and an assist in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s season opening defeat of rival and two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey, 3-2, on Saturday, Oct. 9.

Hutchinson, 30, has played 135 career NHL games with Dallas, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Nashville. He has 38 career points (12G-26A).

Hutchinson (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) helped the Texas Stars earn a berth in the Calder Cup Final last season, chipping in five goals and 16 assists in 21 playoff games. He won the Calder Cup with Milwaukee in 2004.

The Evanston, Illinois native won the AHL’s Eddie Shore Award as defenseman of the year after posting 18 goals and 64 points with Hartford in 2007-08. Hutchinson’s 46 assists and 64 points were the most in the league by a blueliner, while his 18 goals ranked third.

Hutchinson, who was originally drafted by Nashville in the second round (54th overall) of the 1999 Entry Draft, played four seasons of collegiate hockey with Michigan State. He also represented the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Russia.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...id=DL|PIT|home

Already playing without Brooks Orpik, the Penguins lost another defenseman to injury Monday in New Jersey. Zbynek Michalek appeared to injure his right arm or shoulder at the 7 minute mark of the second period. He skated to the bench and, after sitting in clear pain for about a minute, departed for the locker room.

Orpik is out with a groin injury.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...rce=rss&feed=8

[thepolishkid88]

Orpik's injury is tiedto the hernia surgery he had over the summer, he is just feeling discomfort and is being shut down for 2 weeks it looks.

As for Michalek he was hit by Rod Pelly, and suffered some sort of injury to his shoulder ro arm. Looked like a routine hit but you can see the boards just didnt give and Michalek ate all the check. Weird looking play. Unknown time table for Michalek.

[JeanLaRose]

on the plus side, this means we'll get to see a lot more of Engelland in the next few weeks. He played some really solid D against NJ so I'm excited to see if he can play his way into the 6th dman spot permanently.

[FightingIsGood]

Can we ever get through a year when we don't have a bunch of key guys out with injuries at the same time? The season isn't even a week old and they're already dealing with it.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by JeanLaRose

on the plus side, this means we'll get to see a lot more of Engelland in the next few weeks. He played some really solid D against NJ so I'm excited to see if he can play his way into the 6th dman spot permanently.

I thought Engellend looked great. He actually started the GoGo goal by trapping Kovy.

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

Can we ever get through a year when we don't have a bunch of key guys out with injuries at the same time? The season isn't even a week old and they're already dealing with it.

At least it shows our depth....

[hockey doc]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

Can we ever get through a year when we don't have a bunch of key guys out with injuries at the same time? The season isn't even a week old and they're already dealing with it.

Welcome the the NHL, every team goes through it at some point.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by hockey doc

Welcome the the NHL, every team goes through it at some point.

Last year we were at one point down to 2 regular dmen and about 7 of our regular forwards. We suffer from the injury plague every year and every year we come out looking pretty good. All in all its more of a blessing then a curse.

[thepolishkid88]

Michalek out 2-4 weeks and Asham out 2 more weeks per Disco Dan.

[Juha82]

I am thinking are they fossiles when got broke so quickly and easily but barely, just a thought.
Orpik is a player which Penguins really needs, smart and tough defenseman who really defends own area accurately.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Michalek out 2-4 weeks and Asham out 2 more weeks per Disco Dan.

Not exactly good news, but better than what was rumored. That puts Michalek at early-mid November and Asham late this month. I can deal with that. Just hope we don't fall too far behind the rest of the pack.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

Not exactly good news, but better than what was rumored. That puts Michalek at early-mid November and Asham late this month. I can deal with that. Just hope we don't fall too far behind the rest of the pack.

It's survivable territory. I just hope everyone else is healthy by then....