Daniel Sprong News

Sprong was a surprise scratch on Wednesday but will play tonight vs. the Flyers. Sprong has been outstanding in Alex Ovechkin's absence, scoring five goals in his last five games.

Sprong has one goal and three assists in his last 11 games and will be replaced by Daniel Carr in the lineup on Thursday.

Sprong is a former highly regarded prospect who is now with his third team in two years. Spring has not had a problem scoring in the AHL, posting 11 goals with 16 assists (27 points) in 39 games with San Diego this season. However, he has just 19 goals and 11 assists (30 points) in 97 career NHL games with the Penguins and Ducks. He'll report to Hershey (AHL) and have to work his way up to the high-powered Capitals.

Sprong did not appear in a single game during his most recent call-up so he'll go back to the AHL where he can play some games. Kiefer Sherwood was called up to take his spot on the roster.

Sprong has spent most of the season in the AHL but has two points (1G / 1A) in eight games with the Ducks. During his time with San Diego, the 22-year-old has amassed 24 points (9G / 15A) in 31 games.

Sprong was sent down to the AHL on Saturday but was quickly recalled and could play Tuesday in Vegas. Sprong has compiled 14 goals and five assists (19 points) in 48 career games with Anaheim.

Sprong played in one game during his call-up but sat as a healthy scratch on Friday with Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg back in the lineup. Sprong returns to the AHL, where he has seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 24 games.

Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg are out with the flu and Rickard Rakell has an upper-body injury, paving the way for Sprong to appear in his 90th career NHL game on Sunday. The 22-year-old has 18 points (7G / 11A) in 24 AHL games this season and had 19 points (14G / 5A) in 47 NHL games last year.

Sprong, 21, was a second-round pick (No.46 overall) in 2015 but has had a difficult time getting his legs under him in Pittsburgh. After torching the AHL for 32 goals and 33 assists (65 points) in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), Sprong picked up just four assists in 16 games with the Penguins this year. He had a hard time breaking into the Penguins top-6 and wasn’t as effective in the bottom-6. Sprong has a chance to play top-6 minutes in Anaheim, making him worthy of a speculative waiver add.

Sprong was in the lineup for the last two games, but will be replaced by Sidney Crosby on Wednesday. Sprong has torched the AHL throughout his career, but has just four assists in 14 games with Pittsburgh this season.

Sprong dominated the AHL last season, collecting 32 goals and 33 assists (65 points) in 65 games before being called-up by the Penguins. After arriving in the NHL, he had two goals and one assist in eight games. Sprong has been great at lower-levels but it hasn’t translated into NHL success yet.