Sprong has scored 20 goals and 37 points in 22 games for QMJHL Charlottetown since returning from shoulder surgery.

EDGE Analysis

There's an outside shot Pittsburgh could recall the sniper to add scoring depth for the stretch drive. Sprong did pot two goals in 18 contests for the Pens in 2015-16 before returning to Charlottetown. Even if he doesn't get the nod back to the NHL, he's bumped his prospect status higher with a strong showing in the Q.

Sprong (shoulder) will rejoin Charlottetown of the QMJHL following the holiday break, which ends Dec. 28, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "We just felt at this particular time, it's in his best interests to go back to his junior club and play there," coach Mike Sullivan noted.

EDGE Analysis

There was talk he could join Pittsburgh but the team's forwards are healthy. Sprong, who has been out since undergoing shoulder surgery in June, will see plenty of playing time with Charlottetown. "He's had an extended period of time here where he hasn't played, and it's really important for young players, we feel, to play significant minutes and continue to grow and develop their game," Sullivan said. The 19-year-old will be eligible to play in the AHL when his junior season ends.

Sprong (shoulder) is making progress from surgery and could return in December or January, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The health of Pittsburgh's team will likely decide whether Sprong sticks with the NHL squad or returns to the QMJHL. "Let's wait and see what our injury situation is before making a final decision," GM Jim Rutherford said. "Our health as a team will have some say in what we do with him. Everything being equal, if our lineup is healthy, the fact that he hasn't had a training camp probably makes me think that I'm leaning toward sending him back. But we'll see."

Sprong (shoulder) is healing faster than expected from surgery in June and could return to action in January or February, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off of major shoulder surgery, it would be unwise to expect big things from Sprong in the short term. He probably offers more offensive upside than any other Pittsburgh prospect but it's unlikely makes a big impact prior to 2017-18. The 19-year-old scored two goals in 18 NHL contests last year before the Penguins returned him to QMJHL Charlottetown.

Sprong underwent successful shoulder surgery on Friday and is expected to miss up to eight months.

EDGE Analysis

Sprong injured his shoulder during practice, serving as a "black ace" for the Penguins championship run. The 19-year-old spent most of the season in the AHL, only taking the ice 18 for the Penguins last season.

Sprong was one of eight players recalled by Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Russ Hryvnak of DK on Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sprong was lighting the lamp during the AHL Calder Cup playoffs as he tallied five goals in 10 outings. With the Baby Pens eliminated from the postseason, Pittsburgh made their black aces call-ups which, in addition to Sprong, included Steve Oleksy, Tim Erixon, Kael Mouillierat, Tom Sestito, Dominik Simon, Josh Archibald, and Jean-Sebastien Dea. Barring injury, none of the promoted players are expected to hit the ice.

Sprong has tallied five postseason goals during his first taste of AHL hockey.

EDGE Analysis

In total, Sprong has netted six points in his four Calder Cup outings since being promoted to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton following the conclusion of his QMJHL season. The teenager struggled to adjust to the pace of the NHL game as he registered just two goals in 18 matches with Pittsburgh early in the season, but resumed his domination in juniors once he rejoined the Charlottetown Islanders where he averaged 1.39 points per night. A second-round pick in the 2015 NHL draft, the winger is certainly a top prospect for the Penguins organization, but faces the challenge of supplanting guys like Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, and Tom Kuhnhackl who have been crucial to Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup run this year.

Sprong has scored 15 goals and 35 points in 24 games for Charlottetown since Pittsburgh returned him to the QMJHL in December.

EDGE Analysis

When Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford sent Sprong back to junior, he said the forward could return to the Pens following Charlottetown's postseason run. The team has already qualified for the playoffs, making any potential return no sooner than the beginning of April.

Pens' GM Jim Rutherford would not rule out Sprong's return from the QMJHL later in the 2015-16 campaign, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

The general manager was disappointed with the way Sprong's 18-game NHL trial played out but believes he'll be a better player for his time in Pittsburgh. "It's going to be that much better for him when he gets back here, whether it's in March or April or next September," Rutherford noted. Sprong will make his season debut for the Charlottetown Islanders on Dec. 28.

Sprong has been returned to the juniors and will stay at that level until his junior campaign concludes, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a curious development as Sprong's in the first year of a three-year, entry-level deal, and now he's returning the juniors for the rest of the year? It's possible that the firing of coach Mike Johnston and switch to Mike Sullivan had an effect on the team's short-term plans for Sprong. The 18-year-old rookie from the Netherlands dominated the QMJHL the last two seasons, amassing 69 goals and 87 assists for the Charlottetown Islanders.