Oskar Sundqvist is expected to play as a bottom-six center in a checking role Friday. "From Day 1 in Wilkes-Barre, he's been playing against other teams' top lines in a checking role," associate general manager Jason Botterill told the Pittsburgh Tribune-

Sundqvist is expected to play as a bottom-six center in a checking role Friday. "From Day 1 in Wilkes-Barre, he's been playing against other teams' top lines in a checking role," associate general manager Jason Botterill told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Analysis:

The Penguins preferred to give Sundqvist an entire season to develop with AHL Wilkes-Barre, but lower-body injuries to centers Evgeni Malkin and Eric Fehr, on top of a hand ailment to Nick Bonino, necessitated the recall. "We do see him as a guy who can play center and wing and be a PK guy at the National Hockey League level," Botterill said. Sundqvist is expected to return to the Baby Pens as soon as Malkin gets healthy, but a strong showing could change that thinking.