Talbot and Pirjeta Sent to WBS. Ouellet Called Up

Is Michel Therrien trying to reunite his most successful line from Wilkes barre-Scranton? Well, it certainly looks that way. The Penguins have recalled Michel Ouellet and sent down Maxime Talbot and Lasse Pirjeta. Ouellet is not the best skater to ever take an NHL sheet of ice, but he can score some goals. This could be a good situation for him, especially since he will most likely be reunited with his linemates from WBS, Eric Christensen and Matt Hussey.

I am not sure why Max Talbot was sent down. He was one of the hardest workers on the team and has chipped in a goal or two, but he may thrive down on the farm. He was used in mostly a checking/penalty killing role in Pittsburgh, but was a big scorer in Junior hockey. This may be a move to help him develop into something more than a 4th line grinder. As for Lasse Pirjeta; he has some offensive talent and should be able to put up some numbers in the AHL.

Let's hope that the Baby Pens can maintain their momentum. They currently hold the best record in the AHL, though their roster has been suffled and their entire coaching staff has been installed in Pittsburgh. They practiced as usual Thursday with their captains running the drills. It has been speculated that Joe Mullen and Rick Kehoe will stand in as game day coaches this weekend.

Craig Patrick does not seem to be playing games. He was straight forward and to the point in his press conference announcing the coaching change. It seems that if players are not willing to get on board and play Michel Therrien's game, they will be gone. Only time will tell, but I feel that the next 10 games will tell the story. Though the picture is bleak, the team is not out of the playoff hunt. This could be one of the best comeback stories in the history of the NHL.