Two promising young players who made their NHL debuts this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins are headed back to the minors.

Defenseman P.O Joseph and forward Drew O’Connor were reassigned to the organization’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday. Forwards Anthony Angello and Josh Currie were reassigned to the NHL taxi squad.

The 21-year-old Joseph burst onto the scene with five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-5 rating over his first seven games with the Penguins after an earlier-than-expected recall necessitated by a spate of injuries on defense.

The marquee return in the trade of Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes in 2019, Joseph quickly ascended to the Penguins’ top defense pairing. But his play diminished over his next nine games (no points, minus-4), and he did not play in either of the Penguins’ past two games after the team got healthier on its blue line.

Coach Mike Sullivan said assigning Joseph and O’Connor to the AHL gives each a chance to get regular ice time and development. Joseph, a former first-round pick, is viewed as a major part of the Penguins’ future.

“We’re really excited about (Joseph’s) game and where it’s at and potentially where we think it could go,” Sullivan said, “and so we want to help continue with his growth and development.”

“I think it will be good for him,” veteran defenseman Cody Ceci said of Joseph’s demotion. “He’s got to hold his head high. He played really well for us when he was up here. If he continues to do that down there, I am sure he will back with us in no time.”

Signed as an undrafted free agent last March, O’Connor made his NHL debut Jan. 26 — four days after Joseph. O’Connor had an assist that day but did not reach the scoresheet in any of his subsequent eight games for the Penguins, mostly skating as a fourth-line wing.

Angello, who turns 25 on Saturday, supplanted him in the Penguins lineup the past four games. Currie, 28, made his Penguins debut Tuesday.

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