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Sunday, 27 February 2011 17:52

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The Penguins have demoted forwards Dustin Jeffrey, Joe Vitale (right) and defenseman Brian Strait to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

In 15 NHL games this season, Jeffrey, 23, has scored eight points (five goals, three assists). Jeffrey is Wilkes/Barre/Scranton's leading scorer with 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 40 games this season.

In nine NHL games this season, Vitale, 25, has two points (one goal, one assist) and has won 56.2 percent of his faceoffs. In 50 AHL games this season, Vitale hs 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists).

In three NHL games this season, Strait, 23, has not recorded a point. In 55 AHL games this season, Strait has eight points (two goals, six assists).

(Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Comments (11)

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written by Bones, February 27, 2011 - 06:06 PM

In Shero/Bylsma we trust, but I don't get Jeffrey being sent down...

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written by andrew, February 27, 2011 - 06:21 PM

That was my thought initially too Bones. But the Pens don't play again til Wednesday, and I think the Baby Pens have a game or 2 before then. And the Pens will save a few cap dollars sending them down as well. I'm assuming Jeffrey will be back up for Wednesday. And I guess Shero could also be clearing a little cap in case of a trade as well..

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written by big z, February 27, 2011 - 06:57 PM

My guess is that Dustin Jeffrey, Joe Vitale, and Brian Strait are all going to remain at WB/S and that Chris Kunitz, Tyler Kennedy, and Paul Martin will all be available for Wednesday. My assumption is that barring the return of Sidney Crosby, Arron Asham, or Mike Comrie, or a trade by tomorrow's deadline the lines will be...

Chris Kunitz - Jordan Staal - Pascal Dupuis
James Neal - Mark Letestu - Alex Kovalev
Matt Cooke - Max Talbot - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Craig Adams - Chris Conner

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written by PensNorth, February 27, 2011 - 07:14 PM

Yeah, I don't understand sending Jeffrey down and keeping Conner..Looking at big z 4 lines, we look really weak at center.

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written by PensNorth, February 27, 2011 - 07:19 PM

How about:

James Neal-Mark Letestu-Alex Kovalev
Matt Cooke-Jordan Staal-Tyler Kennedy
Chris Kunitz-Max Talbot-Pascal Dupuis
Mike Rupp-Dustin Jeffrey-Craig Adams

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written by djbst75, February 27, 2011 - 07:54 PM

I don't get it??? I bet it means we are either getting some people back or getting someone at the deadline.

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written by jameshutton, February 27, 2011 - 09:03 PM

I didn't think Kunitz would be back this early. Setting that aside, I thought Jeffrey was one of the Pens' better offensive players last night. He's not a winger, so he may not be an effective sub. for Conner, but Conner has been absent from the scoring sheet for awhile, and he seems to have hit the poverbial wall, so maybe it would work. From a pure talent and ability, I'd take Jeffrey over Max and Conner right now.

I thought Strait was OK last night after being a bit shaky his first two games. With this play in WBS this year, and from what little we've seen, he looks like he could be a 5-6 guy.

I like Vitale's hustle, but I don't think he'll ever be anything more than an NHL 4th liner.

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written by jameshutton, February 27, 2011 - 09:06 PM

Oops. I forgot about Goddard. Are his 10 games up? Even if not, Engelland pretty much negates any need for Goddard.

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written by Boom Shaka, February 28, 2011 - 03:32 AM

I did some nerding around on Cap Geek. Providing I used their waiver calculator right, Jeffrey is exempt from waivers while Conner is not. Conner is worth about $45,000 more from a cap perspective but the team doesn't have to worry about another team claiming Jeffrey.

The Pens must think enough of Conner or believe in his trade value not to risk another team picking him up off of waivers.

Either way, I'm sure Jeffrey be back on or before Wednesday.

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written by espo33, February 28, 2011 - 10:59 AM

Yeah would rather have Jeffrey at 3rd line center then Talbot. Put Talbot at 4th line C or RW and bump Conner off.

And no chance Cooke is 2nd line ahead of Kunitz.

WB is off until Friday Mar 4th.

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written by gamecockfn, February 28, 2011 - 02:27 PM

Jeffrey should be back on Wednesday, Kunitz is unlikely to go on. Martin and Kennedy should be back.

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