WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — When the rosters for next week’s AHL All-Star Classic were released on Jan. 5, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins center Oskar Sundqvist was notably absent.
“Sunny,” as he is affectionately known around the locker room, was just coming off his best stretch of the season — recording seven goals and 14 points in eight games (including four against Hershey on Dec. 10, which tied the club’s single-game record). Thus, the Boden, Sweden, native seemed like a sure pick for the game in Allentown.
But if you think the apparent snub upset him in any way, you are mistaken.
“It’s going to be a good few days off,” Sundqvist said of the break on Thursday after an optional team practice. “Rest up your body and have a little mini-vacation. So it’s going to be nice.”
If anyone deserves some time off, it’s Sundqvist. Offensively, the 22-year-old has been the most consistent Penguins player not named Jake Guentzel, recording 14 goals and 33 points in 39 games through Saturday.
He’s also the anchor of the team’s third line, which also features Josh Archibald and Garrett Wilson. All three are among the top five on the team in plus-minus rating, so it’s safe to say good things happen when Sundqvist is on the ice.
According to Penguins coach Clark Donatelli, the groundwork for Sundqvist’s emergence began early last year with his first NHL call-up; he skated for Pittsburgh in 18 games and appeared in two Stanley Cup playoff games.
Sundqvist excelled in summer workouts and actually placed an emphasis on his defense before this season, which has led to an increase in his scoring chances at the other end.
Plus, standing 6-foot-3, he has shown the willingness to withstand bumps and bruises in the “dirty areas.” However, that style of play finally caught up to him Friday, when he left the Penguins’ game against Lehigh Valley with an upper-body injury. He did not skate Saturday and is considered day-to-day.
“When you go to the hard areas, you’re gonna get sticks, you’re gonna get cut,” Donatelli said. “You’re gonna get whacked and hacked, and he takes it.
“He stands in front of the net on the power play and is extremely good at it, but he also plays against top lines. Great two-way player.”
Sundqvist said the main thing that held him back last season was his comfort level off the ice, but now he is used to life in Pennsylvania — and it is translates to his play at the rink.
There is also comfort with Archibald and Wilson, who have skated with him on the same line since the first game of the season.
“We had a good connection right from the start, and it’s just been better and better the longer the season is going,” Sundqvist said. “We just try to have fun out there every game and practice we get together.”
With veteran Matt Cullen out for the next few weeks with a foot injury and Eric Fehr filling in, Sundqvist is the logical candidate for a promotion — assuming his injury isn’t long-term.
But while the former third-round pick is aware of that situation and the opportunity it might present, he won’t be anxiously waiting by the telephone for a call.
“It’s always fun to be up there and play in Pittsburgh,” he said, “but right now I can’t go out and think about that.
“My focus is right here in (Wilkes-Barre) for now, and that’s how it’s going to stay.”
MORE FROM WILKES-BARRE
• Jan 16: at Syracuse, 4-1 loss
• Jan. 18: at Hershey, 5-3 win
• Jan. 20: at Lehigh Valley, 5-3 loss
• Jan. 21: Hershey, 5-1 win
The Penguins continued to dominate their rivals from Hershey with two victories. Center Jean-Sebastien Dea registered a goal and three assists in those games.
Right wing Carter Rowney also stayed hot, recording three goals and two assists this week.
Next: The Penguins will sample the Empire State’s best, hosting Syracuse on Wednesday and then hitting Utica and Binghamton on a weekend road trip.
Goals of the week: Captain Tom Kostopoulos scored this goal in the Penguins' win over Hershey on Saturday. Kostopoulos turns 38 on Tuesday;
Ryan Haggerty's redirect in Lehigh Valley was the first of his three goals this week:
