UPDATE: WBS Penguins Forward Scott Wilson Called Up to Pittsburgh

Scott Wilson (left) quickly left Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins practice today after head coach John Hynes took a phone call during practice, per reports.

As news from Pittsburgh began to file out that Sidney Crosby and Robert Bortuzzo were sick and not present at the team's morning skate - currently scheduled to undergo tests - a tweet from AHL Penguins beat writer Jonathan Bombulie at the team's practice at Toyota SportsPlex painted a clearer picture of the Penguins' needs after Brian Dumoulin was already recalled by the NHL club earlier this morning. 



If his quick exit at practice is officially announced as a recall by Pittsburgh later today, it will be Scott Wilson's first NHL call up. The rookie forward out of UMass-Lowell, Wilson has been a top-line winger for the AHL Penguins this season, and has been flying somewhat under the radar for the Pens this year. With Andrew Ebbett already called up to Pittsburgh, Wilson led all AHL Pens forwards with a +10 rating at the time of his recall. (EDIT: The Penguins announced Wilson's recall this afternoon.)

I wrote this about him in Sunday's AHL feature at Hockey's Future on the several rookie forwards on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins making a positive impact with the Pens' AHL affiliate:

His 12 points (3G, 9A) in 21 games are also tied for third on the team and sixth in the league in rookie scoring. Coming off three years in the Hockey East conference has paid off so far for Wilson, who plays a consistent and reliable two-way game with some offensive scoring touch implemented into his style of play.

The AHL Penguins don't play until Friday, meanwhile the NHL Pens host the New Jersey Devils tonight and the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. It is possible that Wilson could make his NHL debut this week, but also possible that he could return to the AHL before the WBS Penguins host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday night.

Bombulie also reports that second year pro Anton Zlobin is out for the season after having shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered in Norfolk on Halloween. It doesn't appear to be the same shoulder he had surgery on prior to his first pro season in 2013-14. Unfortunate news nonetheless.

Stay tuned for this week's edition of The Home News on Thursday for a preview of the 4th meeting between the WBS Penguins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The two teams meet in Wilkes-Barre on Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, with both teams looking to kick off their respective three-game weekend with a win.