The Pittsburgh Penguins made a series of roster maneuvers prior to their road game against the Boston Bruins on Thursday.

Defenseman Kevin Czuczman and forward Sam Lafferty were recalled from the taxi squad. Czuczman’s recall is under emergency conditions, but Lafferty is a regular recall.

With a number of incumbent defensemen injured, Czuczman appears to be in line to play his first NHL game since he appeared in 13 contests with the New York Islanders in 2013-14. A member of the Penguins organization for parts of four seasons, Czuczman has served as an alternate captain with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 38 AHL games in 2019-20, Czuczman had 10 points (two goals, eight assists).

Lafferty has appeared in three games this season and has no points.

Forward Zach Aston-Reese (retroactive to Jan. 13), defenseman Juuso Riikola (retro to Jan. 19) and forward Evan Rodrigues (retro to Jan. 24) were placed on long-term injured reserve.

Defenseman Marcus Pettersson was placed on injured reserve.

Aston-Reese is still recuperating from offseason shoulder surgery in August. Riikola and Pettersson were injured during a 5-4 overtime home win against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 19. Rodrigues suffered an injury during a 3-2 home win against the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Forwards Anthony Angello and Frederick Gaudreau as well as defensemen Will Reilly and Yannick Weber have been assigned to the taxi squad. All four of them have yet to play in any games this season.

Angello appeared in 10 NHL games last season and scored one goal. Gaudreau played in 42 games with the Milwaukee Admirals last season and scored 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists).

Reilly is entering his first professional season. In 34 NCAA games last season with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute last season, Reilly had 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists).

Weber, a 12-year veteran, was signed Wednesday given the team’s injury woes on the blue line. In 41 games with the Nashville Predators last season, Weber had three points (one goal, two assists).

Forward Drew O’Connor’s recall status went from emergency to regular.

A first-year professional, O’Connor made his NHL debut during Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime road loss to the Bruins. Logging 10 minutes, 51 seconds of ice time on 13 shifts, O’Connor recorded an assist.

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