18 Sam Lafferty C

Lafferty was promoted to the NHL roster Thursday.

The move to elevate Lafferty comes on the heels of an injury to Evan Rodrigues (lower body), one that will keep Rodrigues out until at least mid-February. Whether Lafferty can break into the lineup will depend on his ability to outwork Drew O'Connor at practice, though for now, it appears O'Connor has the inside track to minutes.

Lafferty was assigned to the taxi squad Monday, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Lafferty will need to be recalled before he can play his next NHL game. The 25-year-old forward suited up in each of the first three games of the year, but he logged just 3:08 of ice time in Sunday's win over the Capitals.

Lafferty agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Penguins on Thursday.

Lafferty has spent his entire career with the Penguins since being drafted in the fourth-round in 2014. The 25-year-old finally got a taste of NHL action last season, supplying six goals and 13 points across 50 games. Lafferty will likely start next season with the big club, but don't be surprised if he sees some more action in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Lafferty is in the lineup for Wednesday's Game 3 against Montreal.

Lafferty will make his playoff debut centering the third line between a pair of grizzled veterans in Patrick Marleau and Patric Hornqvist. At the NHL level, Lafferty managed a modest 13 points in 50 games as a rookie this year after putting up 49 in 70 with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2018-19. The 24-year-old was inserted into the lineup Wednesday in place of Jared McCann.

The Penguins recalled Lafferty on an emergency basis from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Lafferty was demoted Monday to make him eligible for AHL playoffs, but he's expected to draw in against the Kings on Wednesday. The 24-year-old winger brings a physical element to the lineup with 91 hits over 46 games, but he's tacked on 13 points as well.

Lafferty was demoted to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday.

Lafferty has been a solid contributor at the NHL level this season after filling in for various injuries. The rookie forward has six goals and 13 points in 46 NHL games. After the Penguins added some forward depth before the trade deadline, Lafferty and Anthony Angello were moved back to the minors.

Lafferty scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 5-1 victory over Detroit.

Lafferty is putting together a solid rookie campaign, as he has tallied six goals, six assists and 50 shots in 42 contests while logging 9:44 of ice time per game. The winger should benefit by having veteran Patric Hornqvist on his line and could see an uptick in offensive production down the stretch.

Lafferty scored a goal on three shots and provided two hits Sunday in a 4-3 win over Washington.

The rookie got the Penguins on the board 11:46 into the first period, wiring a snap shot from the left faceoff dot. It was his fifth goal of the year and his first since Nov. 30, putting an end to a 16-game goal drought. Lafferty centered the Penguins' fourth line Sunday and saw just 5:41 of ice time, all of it at even strength.

The Penguins recalled Lafferty from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

This likely means Dominik Kahun (concussion) won't be available for Saturday's clash against the Flyers, but it's unsettled whether Lafferty will draw in or be a healthy scratch. Lafferty has posted 10 points and 17 PIM over 36 NHL games this year.

Lafferty was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Lafferty had been a healthy scratch for four games prior to playing in Tuesday's game against the Flyers. He had two hits in 7:31 during the contest. This move allows the winger to get some game action in the minors while the Penguins are on their bye week.

Lafferty (illness) posted two hits and a shot in 7:21 during Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Lafferty skated on the fourth line. That's likely the ceiling for the 24-year-old forward this season. He's posted 10 points and 68 hits through 33 games, but his point drought stretched to 12 appearances with the scoreless effort Tuesday.

Lafferty (illness) was back on the ice for Tuesday's game-day skate, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With his illness behind him, Lafferty appears set to jump back into a fourth-line role against the Golden Knights on Tuesday. The winger is far from a lock for the lineup and will have to stave off challenges from Joseph Blandisi and Andrew Agozzino for minutes.

Lafferty (illness) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Panthers

Lafferty was a game-time call, but he hasn't shook off his sickness in time. The 24-year-old will miss a second straight game, so Thomas Di Pauli will remain in the lineup.

Lafferty (illness) won't play Saturday against Montreal, Dave Molinari of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

With Lafferty under the weather, Thomas Di Pauli will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut against the Canadiens. The 24-year-old winger will hope to recover in time for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Lafferty has failed to register a point in 10 consecutive contests dating back to Dec. 4 versus the Blues.

Lafferty's extended slump could see him headed for the press box against Ottawa on Monday, per Dave Molinari of DKPittsburghSports.com. At this point, the 24-year-old center figures to be shipped down to the minor as soon as Sidney Crosby (groin) is activated off injured reserve, but could earn his way back later in the year.

Lafferty scored on his lone shot and had two PIM with three hits in a 5-2 loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

Lafferty got the Penguins on the board six-and-a-half minutes into the second period, collecting his fourth goal of the year. The 24-year-old hadn't scored since Oct. 13, a span of 15 games without a goal. Lafferty has nine points in 20 games in his first NHL season.

Lafferty produced a secondary assist Friday in a 2-1 loss to the Devils.

A relative unknown heading into the season, Lafferty is up to three goals and four assists through 12 games. Expect the rookie to keep rolling at the top level as long as Patric Hornqvist (lower body) is out of commission.

The Penguins recalled Lafferty from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Patric Hornqvist (lower body) is dealing with a long-term injury, so Lafferty could be in for an extended stay with the big club. The 24-year-old winger has notched three goals and six points in 10 appearances with Pittsburgh this season.

Lafferty was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.

The move to send Lafferty back to the Baby Pens creates room under the 23-man roster limit for Evgeni Malkin (lower body) to be activated off injured reserve. The 24-year-old Lafferty put up three goals and three helpers in 10 games for Pittsburgh this season and will likely sit atop the list of potential call-ups throughout the 2019-20 campaign. Heading into next year, the winger figures to be a strong candidate for a roster spot in training camp.

Lafferty scored two goals on four shots and was plus-2 with a pair of blocked shots in a 7-2 victory over the Jets on Sunday.

The 24-year-old was recalled by the Penguins on Monday and went without a point in his first two NHL games. But Lafferty broke out Saturday with a goal and two assists against the Wild, then followed that up with tonight's two-goal performance. Injuries up front have opened the door for the second-year pro and he has certainly seized the opportunity so far.