Lannon Gets Call from Penguins

PITTSBURGH -- When the Penguins left Pittsburgh for their three-game road trip Monday, they brought a couple of "emergency" supplies - former Harvard defenseman Ryan Lannon and Ryan Stone.

The two were recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to add depth to an injury-depleted Penguins roster.

However, that doesn't mean Stone, a forward, and Lannon, a defenseman, are spare parts - they could work their way into the lineup for their NHL debuts.

"When you go on a long road trip like we are doing this week and you're kind of far away from home, I think it's a must," Penguins coach Michel Therrien said. "In the meantime, it's a good reward for those young kids who have been playing really well in Wilkes-Barre and the team is doing really well there. I told those guys to make sure they're ready. I can't promise I'll put them in games, but they have to prepare themselves like they are going to jump in. If they jump in, then it's a great opportunity to show they are ready to play at the NHL level."

Stone and Lannon have been big parts of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's recent success. The team saw its nine-game winning streak snapped, but it surged up the AHL's East Division standings.

Stone, a 2003 Penguins draft choice, had 19 points (7+12) in 34 games. However, he brings a physical edge to the ice, as shown by his 69 penalty minutes.

"Energy, physical play - that's my game and I don't want to try anything too stupid, just chip the puck and be physical and be that energy guy," he said.

A left winger, Stone can play all three forward positions, which adds to his versatility with the Penguins.

"We've been working with him as a winger the past two years because we like his aggressiveness along the boards," Therrien said. "He has some decent skill around the net. He is a good player from the blue line-in. He can make some plays and is finishing his checks really hard. He could play center or right side, but most of the time, you'll see him on the left side."

Lannon, a 2002 Penguins draft choice, had nine points (2+7) and a plus-6 rating in 35 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

"This is something I have been working for for a few years now. I am pretty excited and happy to be here and excited to get on the road with the guys," he said. "I know the team is on a bit of a win streak right now, so I will just wait in the wings and be ready if I get the chance."

Lannon gives the Penguins another option on defense, after going with just six defensemen after Mark Eaton went down with a knee injury.

"Ryan is a stay-at-home defenseman, like an Alain Nasreddine-type player," Therrien said. "He is physical, plays hard and is tough to beat one-on-one."

That gives the Penguins two more additions from their minor league club. And, they hope these two pay dividends like Ty Conklin, Tyler Kennedy and Jeff Taffe since they were recalled to Pittsburgh.

"We've been working really closely with our minor league team about the way we play and about the way that we handle every situation. There's a good communication," Therrien said. "When those players get called up, they know what to expect in the way we're playing. So, they don't have the stress about learning a different system or learning other things. Lannon and Stone know a lot of these guys, they spent a lot of time together in the minors. They come here and feel comfortable because they know some of the players and the coaching staff because I coached those guys there. I think it helps."