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Robert Bortuzzo News
The Blues have acquired Robert Bortuzzo and a 7th round pick from the Penguins for Ian Cole.

The Blues acquired Zbynek Michalek earlier in the day, who is a shot blocking defensive defenseman, but he is recovering from a concussion right now so the Blues add Bortuzzo as insurance. Bortuzzo is an in-your-face physical defenseman who plays a relatively simple game.

Robert Bortuzzo
Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended two games for his hit on Jaromir Jagr on Tuesday.

Bortuzzo’s hit was late and he also made contact with Jagr’s chin. Because Bortuzzo did not leave his feet on the hit, he got off with a relatively short suspension. Bortuzo is eligible to return next Monday in New York. Expect Brian Dumoulin to play in the two games in which Bortuzzo will be unavailable.

Robert Bortuzzo
Bortuzzo (upper-body) will not play Tuesday; but is very close.

Bortuzzo is within a few days of returning to the Penguins lineup according to head coach Mike Johnston. Bortuzzo has not played yet this season, but will likely be in the lineup full-time starting next week when Olli Maatta misses four weeks after having surgery to remove a tumour from his neck.

Robert Bortuzzo
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment.

Bortuzzo will remain a member of the Penguins’ 23-man roster during his conditioning assignment. Bortuzzo, 24, has notched two points (1G-1A) and posted a plus-3 rating in 11 NHL games this season. He collected one goal, two assists, three points and 32 penalty minutes in 28 AHL games with WBS earlier this year.

Robert Bortuzzo