Bissonnette and Thomas recalled - 1-26-09

The Penguins recalled forwards Paul Bissonnette (above, with Anaheim's Nathan McIver) and Bill Thomas from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Bissonnette has one point (one assist) and 20 penalty minutes in 13 games with the NHL Penguins this season while Thomas has played in five games recording four shots.

Additionally, forwards Pascal Dupuis and Maxime Talbot are not longer as being on injured reserve on team's Web site. Each took part in practice today along with Sidney Crosby. Defensemen Rob Scuderi (illness) and Brooks Orpik (undisclosed injury) did not.

EN Says: It's a good sign in regards to the Penguins' collective health that only two players have been summoned from the AHL coming out of the All-Star break. Bissonnette obviously is up for his toughness but we would've liked to have seen Dustin Jeffrey recalled before Thomas. It just seems like Jeffrey does something positive with the puck anytime he gets his stick on it. That said, Jeffrey, Thomas or any other player on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's roster isn't going to make or break the NHL Penguins.

(Photo: Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images)