MONTREAL -- Defenseman Mark Friedman will have to continue waiting for his first taste of NHL action this season, as the Penguins have re-assigned the 26-year-old to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL, it was announced on Sunday by Ron Hextall.
Friedman was recalled to the NHL on Friday morning, but did not suit up for either of the Penguins' two games against the Maple Leafs and Canadiens this weekend. The recall was a result of both Jan Rutta and P.O Joseph sustaining injuries on Wednesday night in Washington against the Capitals.
While Rutta did not miss a game, Joseph has been out of the lineup the past two games. Mike Sullivan said Joseph is dealing with a nagging lower-body injury, but Friedman's re-assignment indicates that Joseph might be ready to return to game action.
With Joseph out of the lineup, Chad Ruhwedel has stepped in on the left side of the Penguins' No. 3 defense pairing.
Friedman has played 10 games in the AHL this season, recording two assists while playing on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's top pairing.
The Penguins had the day off on Sunday. They'll be back on the ice for practice tomorrow, 11 a.m., at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
