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.
Sprong missed the last game because of a VISA issue and will be a healthy scratch tonight with Pascal Dupuis ready to return to the lineup.
Sprong is stuck in Canada trying to extend his work VISA so he will be held out of tonight’s game vs. the Panthers. Unless Pascal Dupuis makes a surprise return to the lineup, look for him to be replaced by Bobby Farnham.
