Recently signing a two-way contract with Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League affiliate, the 21-year-old defenceman made it past yesterday’s initial roster trimming.

While the OHL graduate may be hard-pressed to crack a team with plenty of young talent — that reached the Calder Cup finals this past spring — his survival of the first cuts was much of a surprise after an impressive effort in the pre-season opener Friday.

Along with being part of a blueline unit that delivered near-flawless defence and killed all 11 penalties, Reid was credited with the eventual game-winner — a long shot through traffic that was believed to have been deflected — in a 2-1 win over the Binghamton Senators.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s defence didn’t allow a shot on Adam Berkhoel through the opening 10 minutes and stymied the Senators for most of the night.

The Penguins’ next exhibition game is Friday against the Hershey Bears, whom they’ll also face in the regular season opener October 8.

If Reid gets cut, he’ll play with the East Coast Hockey League’s Wheeling Nailers.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old right winger Darren Haydar picked up an assist in the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-0 whitewash of his former Atlanta Thrashers yesterday evening in NHL pre-season action.

Acquired by the Red Wings in July, the two-time Calder Cup champ helped set up the first goal in his second straight exhibition game with his new organization.

He also dressed for Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins in Halifax, during which he took a nasty shot from veteran defenceman Aaron Ward.

Still up with the big club, Haydar will start the year with either Detroit or its AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.