The Penguins have assigned defenseman Juuso Riikola and forward Michael Chaput to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Each player was placed on waivers Friday afternoon and cleared Saturday.
The assignment of Riikola allows the Penguins to clear all but $25,000 of his $1.15 average annual value hit off their salary cap. A member of the organization for the previous three seasons, the 27-year-old Riikola has struggled to carve out a steady role with the NHL club since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2018. The left-handed defenseman has appeared in 75 career games with the Penguins and has 12 points (three goals, nine assists).
In four games this preseason, Riikola had no points.
As for Chaput, he joined the team as a free agent signing this past offseason, inking a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $750,000.
The 29-year-old left-hander appeared in one game this preseason and scored two points (one goal, one assist).
Following these transactions, the Penguins now have 27 players remaining on their training camp roster.
