Penguins recall defenseman Filip Kral from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled defenseman Filip Kral from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday.

No announcement was made by the team but the transaction was reflected on the NHL’s media website as well as the AHL’s website.

Kral, 25, has appeared in 59 games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and has scored 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists).

During the 2024 offseason, Kral, a left-handed shot, joined the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

This marks the first time Kral (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) has been recalled to the NHL roster with the Penguins but he has previous NHL experience, appearing in two games (with no points) as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season.

The Maple Leafs selected Kral in the fifth round (No. 149 overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft.

With the Czechia-born Kral recalled, the Penguins have extended a streak of having at least one native of that country on the NHL roster for 34 consecutive seasons. That streak dates back to the rookie season (1990-91) of legendary forward Jaromir Jagr:

Additionally, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Joona Koppanen on waivers according to Puckpedia. Should he go unclaimed by the NHL’s 31 other teams, he can be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

In 10 NHL games this season, Koppanen has scored one goal while averaging 11:25 of ice time per contest. At the AHL level, the 27-year-old has appeared in 55 contests and scored 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists).

A left-handed shot, Koppanen (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) is in the second year of a contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000.

Other transactions that happened within the organization on Monday included goaltender Sergei Murashov being assigned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling of the ECHL. Concurrently, goaltender Taylor Gauthier was promoted from Wheeling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Both players are signed to NHL contracts.

Additionally, forward Jack Beck, signed to an AHL contract, was moved from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling.