Pittsburgh Penguins: Ranking the Team’s AHL Call-ups This Season

Dec 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports

As the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to navigate their way through a myriad of key injuries, the team has relied heavily on their youth from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, calling up players at all positions to fill in when needed.

Some have looked solid and NHL-ready, while some have floundered before being sent back to the Baby Pens.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 performers:

Dec 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod (55) and Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bobby Farnham (34) fight during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bobby Farnham

Suiting up for 10 games with the Pens this season, Bobby Farnham certainly made his presence known every time he stepped on the ice.

The hard-nosed winger added some much-needed bite to Pittsburgh’s game, stepping up to defend teammates and making statements with his physical play.

In those 10 games, Farnham engaged in 3 fight, energizing his teammates while showing his opponents that the black and gold are not to be taken lightly. He didn’t manage much offensively, but he certainly had a memorable run in Pittsburgh.

Sep 25, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins center Andrew Ebbett (25) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4. Andrew Ebbett

After playing 9 games with the Pens last season, Ebbett was recalled for 17 this time around and performed well in the limited role he was given.

Playing primarily in the bottom-six (mostly on the fourth line), Ebbett still managed a goal and four assists, and maintained a +2 rating. Not too bad considering his limited minutes.

He’s looked reliable for Pittsburgh and showcased his versatility while suiting up as both a centre and a winger during his time in the big league.

While he was recently sent back down to the AHL, Ebbett remains one of the top call-up options for Pittsburgh.

Jan 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Zach Sill (38) moves the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Zach Sill

Of all the call-ups that came in and out of the lineup this season, only Zach Sill cemented himself a near-permanent spot on the Pens roster.

Sill has suited up for 28 of the team’s 42 games thus far, joining them right from training camp and missing time only due to injury, and he remains on the roster heading into their next game.

Also not relied upon to play an offensive role, Sill has infused the Pens lineup with toughness, energy, and reliable defensive play on the fourth line.

He’s managed 2 fights so far this season, and emerged as the winner in both. Sill even showed some decent hands, as well as his never-quit attitude, in the team’s last game against Minnesota when he assisted on the first goal of the game.

With the team getting healthier and acquiring new bottom-six players such as Mark Arcobello, Sill may be pushed out of the lineup and back to the AHL, but the truculent winger has been a great addition to the Pens’ fourth line thus far.

Dec 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (36) carries the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bryan Rust

Bryan Rust’s tenure with the Pens this season was certainly an eventful one. The young winger utilized his speed and excellent hands to move up through the lineup and out of the bottom-six, unlike his other AHL teammates.

Over the course of his 14 games in Pittsburgh this season, Rust suited up on the third line alongside Brandon Sutter, the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin, and the first alongside Sidney Crosby.

While he only managed one goal and one assist over that span, he did fire 34 shots on net – the most of any of the Pens’ AHL call-ups.

At only 22 years of age, Rust proved he can be a strong NHL player one day, after some further development, and certainly gained some excellent experience while playing alongside some of the league’s best talent in Pittsburgh.

He certainly remains one of the Pens’ best call-up options should their injury situation worsen in the second half of the season.