Zach Boychuk claimed off waivers by Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins claimed forward Zach Boychuk off waivers on Thursday afternoon.

Boychuk had been placed on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday with the intention of assigning him to the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, if he cleared.

As a member of the Penguins, Boychuk could find himself playing with two of the most offensively gifted players in the game today, as head coach Dan Bylsma stated that he potentially could see the 23-year-old forward fitting in on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.

This statement could raise questions about the team's plans for forward Eric Tangradi.

Considered one of the team's top prospects, Tangradi was competing with Beau Bennett in training camp for a spot on the second line. While Tangradi effectively displayed an ability to get to the net (an act the team was pleased to see), some believe Bennett was sent to the AHL mainly because he didn't have to clear waivers and Tangradi would have had to.

In addition, Tyler Kennedy was moved up onto the second line and Tangradi was a healthy scratch against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.