#Pens Recall Forwards Andrew Ebbett and Zach Sill

Andrew Ebbett (left) has earned his first NHL call up with the Penguins. He'll join teammate Brian Gibbons (right) in Pittsburgh.

It seems the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to gauge the forward depth of the organization as Andrew Ebbett and Zach Sill are called up to Pittsburgh today and not Jayson Megna like most expected. Still well-deserved recalls for both Ebbett and Sill, however.

Ebbett is in the first year of the two year deal he signed with the Penguins this past summer. In his 8th year of professional hockey, Ebbett has 191 games of NHL experience coming into this season. His best season in the NHL came back in 2008-09 with the Anaheim Ducks, where he tallied 32 points (8G-24A) in 48 games played after making the jump to the NHL mid-season.

Today was Ebbett's first call up to Pittsburgh this season. He's one of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' alternate captains and has consistently been one of the best forwards on the WBS Penguins night in and night out.

On the season, Ebbett ranks third on the team in scoring with 15 points (6G-9A) in 18 games played. He's been in the top-six forward group most if not all year, and has been a regular on the power play and penalty kill. He's not the biggest, most physical forward in the Penguins system, but his skating, puck management and vision on the ice is as good as advertised.

Sill, who was recently re-assigned to the AHL on Friday night, appeared in one game with the NHL Penguins earlier this season and is looking to get in some games in his second NHL stint.The 5th year pro played in 276 AHL games before getting his first NHL nod didn't have to wait more than 48 hours for his second chance.

Sill is your prototypical 4th line muck and grind type forward, who plays a hard-nosed but smart game. Sill scored a goal in his return to the AHL Penguins last night, but isn't known for his offensive game. Sill has been a staple on the AHL Pens penalty kill this season and was a big reason the PK was so effective last season as well.

It will be interesting to see if there is any more player movement in the organization as the AHL Penguins are down to 12 healthy forwards if both Nick Drazenovic and Pierre-Luc Leblond are still not ready for Wednesday's game against the Adirondack Phantoms.

The AHL Penguins have already tapped into their ECHL affiliate's forward depth as the AHL Pens recalled forwards Denver Manderson and Cody Sylvester from the Wheeling Nailers earlier this week. If another forward from the Nailers gets the call, the best options seem to be Carter Rowney and Anton Zlobin.

I plan on attending tomorrow's scheduled WBS Penguins practice at The Ice Rink at Coal Street. Follow Highland Park Hockey on Twitter (@H_P_Hockey) for all the latest news from practice. I'll post an update on the roster tomorrow afternoon.