Pittsburgh Penguins continue preseason schedule amid roster battles

The Pittsburgh Penguins are continuing their preseason schedule with a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. As the regular season approaches in less than a week, the team is engaged in various roster battles. Recent roster moves include sending six defensemen to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and assigning goaltender Taylor Gauthier to the same affiliate following waivers.

Defenseman Caleb Jones has returned to action following an 11-month absence. His hiatus was marked by a foot injury, a shoulder injury requiring surgery, and a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing substances program. Jones stated that his positive test was likely due to a contaminated substance associated with exosome therapy received for an injury, maintaining that the use was unintentional.