Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Rumors

Crosby isn't seriously injured, but Malkin ...
"The Penguins lost a world-class center Sunday night. Precisely what's wrong with Evgeni Malkin -- and how long he might be out -- isn't known yet. He apparently was hurt when a shot by teammate Kris Letang struck him on the lower right leg or foot late in the second period of the Penguins' 2-1 victory against Tampa Bay at the St. Pete Times Forum. Malkin did not return, and coach Dan Bylsma didn't offer much of a prognosis. "I don't have a great feel for the severity," he said. But regardless of how serious -- or minor -- Malkin's injury turns out to be, the Penguins know they could have come out of this game in far worse shape than they did. Their other world-class center got what ..."
Malkin injured in Pens win over Lightning
"Somehow, Sidney Crosby survived a scary-looking outward bend of his right leg. Still, the Penguins left St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday night without complete confidence -- though, hardly pessimism -- about the future availability of Crosby's fellow superstar center, Evgeni Malkin. They also locked down the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period to snag a 2-1 victory, the Penguins' first on a stretch of five straight road games. Increasing their Atlantic Division lead on the New Jersey Devils to four points was hardly the talking point after this win for the Penguins (41-23-5, 87 points). Malkin did not return in the third period after he was hit in the lower body with a shot off the stick ..."
Cooke trying to reach Bruins' Savard
"Penguins left winger Matt Cooke has "reached out" to Boston center Marc Savard, according to Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. Odds are the NHL office will do likewise with Cooke soon. Savard was injured Sunday with a hit to the head by Cooke late in the Penguins' 2-1 victory against the Bruins at Mellon Arena. Bylsma said Monday that the Penguins had not yet heard from the league about a hearing for Cooke, but "we know they're looking at all [questionable] hits and situations, so we know they're looking at it." Savard, who got a Grade 2 concussion when Cooke hit him on the right side of the head with his upper left arm or shoulder, flew back to Boston Monday and told the Boston Herald he was ..."
Enjoy Gonchar while he's still around
"There was no more beautiful sight at Mellon Arena Tuesday than the first-period goal scored by Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. It didn't just lead to a 3-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, a terrific start for the home team to the NHL season's stretch run after the Olympics break. It gave a nice lift to its ultra-talented power-play unit, which often struggled in the first 62 games. But, sadly, the goal -- the 200th of Gonchar's career -- came at some cost. It's one more reason to think Gonchar will become a free agent July 1 and be with another hockey club next season. A tip: Enjoy the man while he's here because it might be a long time before you see someone who's better at ..."
Florida Panthers defenseman Jordan Leopold traded to Pittsburgh Penguins
"Panthers defenseman Jordan Leopold was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday for a second-round pick in this year's draft. As of Monday morning, the deal was pending league approval. Teams were allowed to start making deals again at midnight (Sunday into Monday) when the Olympic break roster freeze was lifted. It was expected the veteran Leopold, 29, would be moved by Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline since he's set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season."
On the Penguins: Defensemen at the trade deadline
"The Olympic trade freeze ends tonight and, with the deadline for completing deals set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, general managers across North America will spend a lot of time between now and then placing phone calls and checking contract details. The Penguins could use at least one goal-scoring winger and also would benefit from reinforcing their blue line, ideally, with a guy who is reliable in his own zone and has a physical edge to his game. Of course, a couple dozen other clubs would like to add that kind of defenseman, too. Assuming the Penguins don't land Dan Hamhuis of Nashville, who apparently will be offered around the league if he isn't re-signed (or close to it) in the immediate ..."
Kunitz may return for game against Capitals
"Chris Kunitz remained unavailable in the Penguins' 5-3 loss at Montreal Saturday, but his return appears set for today. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said following Saturday's game that Kunitz will likely play today in Washington. The winger hasn't played since Jan. 3 in Florida. He had surgery to fix an abdominal injury and has been practicing with the team for more than a week. There had been a school of thought that the Penguins would rest Kunitz until the Olympic break, giving him an additional three weeks to rest, but he stated Tuesday that he intended on playing at some point this weekend."
Fleury expected to return for tomorrow's game
"Penguins No. 1 goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had full participation in the team's practice today at Mellon Arena and is expected to return tomorrow for an afternoon game at Philadelphia. "I would say he's ready to start," coach Dan Bylsma said. Fleury has missed the past three games because of a broken left ring finger. He said there is still some stinging but it is not enough to keep him out. The Penguins sent goaltender John Curry back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Winger Pascal Dupuis also practiced and is expected to play against the Flyers. He got hit hard face-first into the boards Tuesday by Andy Sutton of the New York Islanders. The news isn't as promising ..."
Fleury likely to be in goal against Flyers
"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma didn't come out and say it, but his tone indicated that goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is a good bet to play this afternoon in Philadelphia. Fleury, out of action since breaking a finger Jan. 14 in Edmonton, faced some shots during practice Saturday at Mellon Arena and looked comfortable. "He took a lot of shots yesterday and a full practice today," Bylsma said. "So I would say he's ready to start.""
Penguins' Dupuis could suit up against Caps
"Right wing Pascal Dupuis could play Thursday night for the Penguins in a playoff rematch with the Washington Capitals at Mellon arena, coach Dan Bylsma said. "He went through some tests (Wednesday), and we'll do some tests (today) to see where he's at," Bylsma said of Dupuis, who sported a swollen right eye yesterday in the Penguins' dressing room. He was checked from behind into the boards by New York Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton late in the third period of a Penguins' win Tuesday night. Sutton, who was issued a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding after the play, was suspended by the NHL yesterday afternoon for two games without pay."
Pens' Fleury may not play until next week
"Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (fractured left ring finger) did not play Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place, and he may not be available until late this week. Fleury participated in the Penguins' morning practice but said he "could not do a whole lot" with his glove hand. He was injured Thursday in a win at Edmonton when a puck caught his glove awkwardly during a second-period save. Goalie John Curry made his third career start for the Penguins against the Canucks, who started two-time Vezina Trophy runner-up Roberto Luongo. Curry was recalled from the AHL on Monday because of an undisclosed injury to Penguins backup goalie Brent Johnson, who was eligible to play ..."
Gonchar extension talk could heat up 'soon'
"The next couple of weeks could produce movement regarding talks between the Penguins and defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Gonchar's agent, JP Barry, said Thursday he plans to speak with his client at the conclusion of the Penguins' five-game road trip, which ends Saturday at Vancouver, before meeting with Penguins general manager Ray Shero. "We haven't really agreed on terms or dollar aspect, but the time for that is soon," Barry said, adding that he wants to discuss numbers with Shero as early as next week for the first time since late September. Barry described dialogue with the Penguins as "comfortable." Talks between the parties have been ..."
Talks target Gonchar, Letang
"General manager Ray Shero has begun contract talks involving Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang and is optimistic about keeping both defensemen despite a tight salary cap. Gonchar, 35, the team's top defenseman and quarterback of the power play, can become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if not re-signed. He has a salary cap hit of $5 million this season. Letang, 22, could become a restricted free agent that day. His cap hit is $835,000. Shero indicated he expects the talks to go on for some time. "With Sergei, it will be an ongoing thing," Shero said. "I think he wants to be here; we'd like to have him here." Gonchar, who has missed 16 games because of two injuries this season, had seven ..."
Gonchar, Penguins, talk contract
"The Pittsburgh Penguins and Sergei Gonchar have opened up discussions on a new contract. The defenceman's agent JP Barry met Penguins general manager Ray Shero Tuesday in Calgary. The two sides began preliminary discussions that focused mainly on term. The 35-year old Gonchar, who signed a five-year deal with the Penguins coming out of the lockout, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season."
Gonchar's status uncertain
"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has missed the past two games because of an apparent foot injury -- he took a hard shot by New Jersey's Brian Rolston off the outside of his right foot -- and didn't participate in yesterday's practice. Nonetheless, Bylsma said he expects Gonchar to take part in today's game-day skate and did not rule out him playing against the Thrashers."
Eaton says knee is OK, could return vs. Sabres
"Mark Eaton was gassed after the Penguins' morning skate yesterday. He's hoping the extra work he did will pay off with a return to the lineup soon. The veteran defenseman missed his third game in a row last night when the Penguins played Toronto at Mellon Arena. His left knee was injured Dec. 19 at Buffalo, but he could be back as soon as tomorrow night when the Penguins play a return date at Buffalo. Eaton skated hard with conditioning coach Mike Kadar for more than a half-hour before the skate, then participated with his teammates. He said the knee is not bothering him anymore. "It's just getting the rust off from not skating for a week," said Eaton, who practiced with the team Saturday ..."
Rossi: Gifts in the form of beat tidbits
"Bob Hawkins, who has known Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury since his junior-hockey days, recently shared some details with me that I thought readers would like to know: "Whatever it is, he'll be late for everything," Hawkins said of Fleury. "I often wonder: How does he move so fast in net when he can't get anywhere on time?" Speaking of late, two days after Christmas, I choose to offer these discarded gems from my dealings with the Penguins in 2009: » Vice president of communications Tom McMillan declaring that Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock will "have to pay $10 for half a sandwich" when the Blue Jackets next play in Pittsburgh after McMillan was charged in October for a pregame meal at ..."
Pittsburgh-area products project as first-rounders
"Imagine Consol Energy Center rocking on a future Friday night in late June because of a great win that has nothing to do with the Penguins. A blasphemous suggestion -- unless, of course, that Friday night marks Round 1 of an NHL Entry Draft and that great win is for Pittsburgh-area hockey because an NHL team has selected a local boy. The dream-big scenario is not so far-fetched. The league has not announced a destination for the 2011 draft, the Penguins have applied to host a future draft weekend, and a local prospect "certainly will be" a first-round pick that year. "Unless something goes majorly wrong," said Kyle Woodlief, head of scouting for independent service Red Line Report, ..."
Email Print Penguins' picks in middle rounds can be solid NHL talent
"One of them scored a Stanley Cup-winning goal in June. Another is the top goal-producer ever at his position and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame last month. Three have cracked the accompanying list of the top 10 prospects on the Penguins' organizational depth chart. So while players taken in the middle and late rounds of the NHL entry draft usually don't generate as much instant heat as first-rounders such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby -- does anyone recall getting worked up when, say, the Penguins invested a fourth-round choice in Tyler Kennedy in 2004? -- they can have a major impact at this level. Max Talbot certainly did back in June, when he scored both ..."
Schedule favors Stanley Cup champion Pens
"There is no proof that the NHL schedule was designed to benefit the Stanley Cup champions, but the Penguins have been playing advantageous hands the past few weeks. A game Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena marked the fourth of eight previous contests in which a rested Penguins squad faced an opponent that played the previous night. In fact, according to FSN Pittsburgh, seven of the Penguins' past 12 games have come against opponents that either played the previous night or traveled a great distance the day before. The Penguins were 5-0-1 in those contests. "It's just the nature of this year's schedule," coach Dan Bylsma said. The Penguins opened November with eight of ..."
Talbot might dress vs. Buffalo
"Max Talbot is a high-energy guy and, more often than not, a high-volume one. He has been decidedly subdued for much of this week, however, after being a healthy scratch for the Penguins' past two games. But it is possible that Talbot's exile will end when the Penguins face Buffalo at 7:08 p.m. today at HSBC Arena. Yesterday, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wouldn't commit to dressing him against the Sabres but acknowledged that it's a possibility. "We always consider changes for the lineup, after every game," he said. "[Those judgments hinge on] the team we're playing and what we need. We're certainly thinking about [dressing Talbot].""
Penguins coach is optimistic about Guerin
"Coach Dan Bylsma said he is "preparing like (winger Bill Guerin) is playing" for the Penguins tonight against the Flyers at Philadelphia. Guerin did not practice Wednesday at Southpointe, but he walked without a noticeable limp after practice. His right skate boot was hit by a puck late in the third period of a win against the Flyers on Tuesday night, and Guerin did not finish the game. » Forward Max Talbot's status for tonight will depend on Guerin's availability, as Bylsma indicated that winger Eric Godard would dress against the Flyers. Godard is the club's top fighter, and many Penguins players said they expect a rough and physical game from the Flyers, who are on a 3-11-0 stretch and ..."
Guerin's status is unclear
"Although top-line winger Bill Guerin did not practice with the Penguins yesterday at Southpointe, he flew with them to Philadelphia afterward and likely will play against the Flyers tonight. Guerin was hit in a lower extremity by a clearing pass by Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger late in the Penguins' 6-1 win Tuesday night at Mellon Arena. "He's sore, but we're hoping it's not more than that," coach Dan Bylsma said. "We're hoping [this] morning he'll get on the ice and be fine to go for [tonight]. "I'm preparing like he's going to be playing." Guerin had a goal in the game and has eight goals and 21 points for the season. Talbot's progressBacklash from Max Talbot's offseason shoulder ..."
Letang misses practice will illness, questionable for tonight
"Alex Goligoski and Kris Letang have spent by far the most time at the left point this season, but Letang missed yesterday's practice because of illness. Bylsma is hopeful Letang will be recovered sufficiently to play tonight. Malkin in the past has said he was somewhat uncomfortable as a center playing a defensive position such as the point, and he has looked it at times, especially when it comes to keeping the puck on the preferred side of the blue line. He apparently has gotten over those misgivings."
Race for home-ice begins now for Penguins
"All looks well for the Penguins (22-10-1, 45 points), who are five points better through 33 games than during the past two seasons that ended in the Stanley Cup Final. But looks may be deceiving, and head coach Dan Bylsma and his staff must address a few growing concerns if the Penguins are to convert this strong start into the Eastern Conference's best record and home-ice advantage until the Final. Fight the power Perhaps everybody is too negative regarding the Penguins' second-worst power play. They are clicking at 14.3 percent (8 for 56) over the past 14 games, which is almost one percentage point better than their 13.6 percent overall mark. Three of those eight power-play goals were ..."
Kunitz close to returning to ice for Penguins
"Coach Dan Bylsma said Friday that left wing Chris Kunitz "is getting close" to returning from a lower-body injury that has cost him 13 straight games. Kunitz has not played since Nov. 12. His return will present Bylsma with an interesting decision on which forward to scratch. "It's a luxury I've been looking forward to having for a while," he said of having available, for the first time, all 13 of his expected regular forwards, which he would upon Kunitz's return."
Not everyone is happy about return of Crosby
"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was giddy enough over the prospect of getting Sidney Crosby back against Carolina last night at Mellon Arena that he was in a joking mood earlier in the day. "We weighed our options and decided to let him play," Bylsma said. Crosby, the team captain and leading scorer, sat out Saturday's overtime loss against Chicago because of a sore groin. He took part in the morning skate yesterday and declared himself ready to return. "I've had a good couple of days to rest and get it worked on," he said. "There's no more pain." Crosby, who led the team and ranked third in the NHL with 36 points going into the game, is one in a long list of Penguins who have missed time ..."
Crosby can't explain constant groin problem
"Penguins captain and leading scorer Sidney Crosby seems resigned to the fact that he is going to have to deal with groin problems from time to time. "I've tried everything. This is the way it is," Crosby said yesterday after it was determined he should sit out last night's game against Chicago at Mellon Arena because of groin soreness, something that has been a recurring problem throughout his career. Most recently before this incident, he missed four games late last season. "As hockey players, we always have groin pain or your hips are sore," Crosby said. "But for whatever reason, I've kind of had to deal with this. Trust me, I don't like missing games. I work really hard to not have it ..."
Goligoski, Kunitz 'progressing'
"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma used the same word to describe his two remaining injured players, saying they are "progressing," but he didn't sound overly optimistic that defenseman Alex Goligoski and winger Chris Kunitz will be back in the lineup imminently. Neither played against the Colorado Avalanche last night at Mellon Arena. Bylsma revealed that Goligoski did not aggravate his groin injury when he came back for a game Saturday against the New York Rangers but sustained a different injury. He did not say what the new injury is. Goligoski skated before the team's morning skate yesterday. "There isn't a timetable on him yet, but he's positively progressing," Bylsma said. Kunitz is not ..."
Burlington's Tom Barrasso to be inducted into U.S. hockey hall tonight
"As a kid growing up outside Boston, Tom Barrasso never dreamed of slugging homers for the Red Sox or draining jumpers for the Celtics. The Boston Bruins were his team, and street hockey was all the rage in Burlington, Mass., especially in his neighborhood. "Most of the kids were closer to my sister's age my sister's seven years older than I am - and the only way they would let me play was to be the goaltender," Barrasso said Monday. "I just wanted to be in the group, so I'd be the goalie. It didn't take me long to realize when I stopped the older kids from scoring, it absolutely drove them crazy. My love affair for hockey was born in a cul-de-sac just outside of Boston." Hockey was his ..."
Defenseman Goligoski doesn't attend Penguins game in New York
"Defenseman Alex Goligoski did not travel with the Penguins to New York for their game Monday night against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Goligoski recorded two assists and played 21 minutes and 16 seconds in a home win against the Rangers on Saturday night. He had missed six straight games with a lower-body injury. The Penguins did not disclose if he will play Thursday against Colorado at home. They will likely treat his return cautiously after winger Tyler Kennedy missed 11 straight games last month after returning from a three-game absence because of a lower-body injury."
Avery's tactics upset Fedotenko
"Ruslan Fedotenko does not understand why New York Rangers forward Sean Avery attacked him from behind in the Penguins' 8-3 victory Saturday at Mellon Arena. He just wishes he had gotten an opportunity to defend himself against Avery, who picked up 17 minutes of penalties. "I didn't even have a chance to bump him, or anything like that, during the game, so whatever happened, I have no clue," Fedotenko said. "He kind of jumped me from behind. ... I wish he'd given me a heads-up, but that's his kind of game." He added that the league should take steps to prevent that from happening more often. "What prevents anybody from jumping a top player and trying to pound him?" he said "Obviously, [New ..."
Pens' McKee says patience key with infection
"General manager Ray Shero expressed a considerable degree of satisfaction Saturday night that the Penguins went 5-3 over a stretch when at least two AHL defensemen were in the lineup, and they split two games over that span when three had to play. Stability was all the Penguins realistically could hope for during a stretch from Oct. 20-Nov. 16 when five regular defensemen were lost because of injuries. Four have returned to the lineup, and Jay McKee could play tonight at the New York Rangers after missing six straight games. An infected finger on his right hand that required at overnight stay at the hospital Nov. 17 for treatment with antibiotics and draining of fluid has healed ..."
Penguins president's hard lesson
"Because Penguins president David Morehouse has normal blood pressure and decent cholesterol levels, isn't more than a few pounds overweight, doesn't smoke, drink or eat junk food and has no history of heart disease in his family, there can be only one leading contributor to his heart attack this month. The sight of actor Ethan S. Smith. More on that in a moment. First, a good-news update: Morehouse, 49, is fine and has been told by doctors there is no significant long-term damage to his heart from his heart attack Nov. 8 while traveling with the team in San Jose, Calif. He had a stent put in to open a 98 percent blockage in his left anterior descending artery, flew home four days later, ..."
Pens' Cooke suspended two games by NHL
"Winger Matt Cooke said Saturday night he was "surprised" officials penalized him for interference after a hit on New York Rangers forward Artem Anisimov late in the Penguins' 8-3 win at Mellon Arena. Anisimov left the game after that hit and did not return. "They guy was coming across the middle, and I finished my check," Cooke said after the game — the last he will play until Saturday against Chicago, after the NHL suspended him for two games Sunday night. The league ruled Cooke deliberately checked Anisimov in the head area. Since Cooke was suspended for two games in January, he is considered a repeat offender under terms of the collective bargaining agreement. He will forfeit around ..."
Penguins' Kennedy, Letang won't play at Islanders
"Neither winger Tyler Kennedy (lower-body injury) nor defenseman Kris Letang (bruised right shoulder) will play today at the New York Islanders, coach Dan Bylsma said Thursday after practice. "Their progress has been very promising the past few days," he said. "They haven't had a lot of practice time with the team. In both cases, I think they need that." Center Evgeni Malkin did not practice, but he is expected to play today, Bylsma said. Malkin was given a "maintenance day," which in Penguins' lingo indicates either rest or treatment for a player. Malkin has scored two goals and recorded eight points in six games after missing seven straight because of a strained right shoulder. - The ..."
For change, injury report offers lots of good news
"Defenseman Jay McKee won't be in the Penguins' lineup when they visit the New York Islanders today. But he might be back in uniform a lot sooner than originally expected. A little over a week ago, the Penguins announced that McKee would miss two-to-four weeks because of an infected finger. Yesterday, however, he went through a lengthy workout with coach Dan Bylsma before the Penguins practiced at Mellon Arena and, barring a setback, could return in a matter of days. "He's progressing quicker than the timetable we gave you," Bylsma said. "And, if he continues to do that, it won't be long. I don't know if that's 10 days or seven days or five days." McKee underwent a surgical procedure that ..."
Orpik plans return to Penguins lineup Saturday
"Defenseman Brooks Orpik, who has not played since Nov. 10 because of an unspecified injury, plans to return to the Penguins' lineup when they face Atlanta at Philips Arena Saturday night. "I think I'm in as long as all goes well tomorrow," Orpik said after the Penguins' practice in suburban Duluth this afternoon. With luck, things will go better for him tomorrow than they did today."
Gonchar could return tonight, but Pens lose McKee
"In yet another eventful day on the Penguins' injury front, there was good and bad news. The bad news is that another defenseman, Jay McKee, will be out of action for a while. McKee has sustained a finger infection and will miss between two and four weeks. Defensemen Sergei Gonchar, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski were already nursing injuries when the McKee news broke. The Penguins, though, haven't yet recalled another defenseman from Wilkes-Barre. There is a chance that either Gonchar or Orpik will play tonight in Ottawa. Gonchar has been out with a broken wrist, and Orpik has been bothered by a lower-body injury, believed to be his hip. Gonchar appears the best bet to play ..."
Talbot's return boosts Penguins
"Forward Max Talbot lost an edge on two occasions during practice Wednesday at Mellon Arena, prompting his teammates to laugh hysterically each time he fell. The life of the party is back for the Stanley Cup champions, and he won't be sitting in the press box any longer. Talbot, one of the heroes of the Stanley Cup Finals, is completely healed from summer shoulder surgery and will make his debut tonight when the Penguins play in Ottawa. "It just feels great to be back in the room," Talbot said. "I want to do everything I can to help out. My shoulder is ready." Talbot had shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum on July 7. At the time, he was told game action was out of the question for ..."
Malkin skates, feels good
"The Penguins have sustained a startling number of injuries in the past three weeks, but help finally appears on the way. C Evgeni Malkin skated Thursday morning and appears on the verge of returning to the lineup. He might play Saturday against Boston at Mellon Arena. "It was my second time practicing hard and it feels good," Malkin said. "It was a good rest. I feel stronger now. I feel awesome. I won't play tonight (Thursday) but maybe next game." The Penguins had not scored a power play goal entering Thursday night's game during Malkin's absence. It has been two weeks since Penguins coach Dan Bylsma announced Malkin was out with a shoulder injury. At the time, the team said he would miss ..."
Orpik injury is not as bad as first feared
"Judging from the injury news coming from the Penguins yesterday, Thanksgiving week might have extra meaning this year. There is a good chance most of their six injured regulars will be back around that holiday if not before. Defenseman Brooks Orpik, the most recently injured player, is expected to be out for about two weeks with an unspecified lower-body injury, and that's better than initially feared, coach Dan Bylsma said. Orpik missed his first game last night when New Jersey visited Mellon Arena. He was hurt Tuesday in the first period at Boston but said it wasn't directly related to the hit into the boards he absorbed from Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart just before leaving the game. ..."
Malkin increases practice load
"Penguins All-Star center Evgeni Malkin described his status as "day to day" yesterday after he participated with the team in its morning skate at TD Garden. Malkin, still wearing a red, non-contact jersey, had been joining the team at the end of practice, but this time he came out at the beginning with everyone else and remained out for an extra half-hour. "I'm still working. It feels better," he said of his strained right shoulder. "I'm closer, day to day." He took part in some of the drills and, toward the end of the skate, had teammates set him for slap shots. The injury is to his non-shooting shoulder."
Letang expected to miss two weeks
"Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, the latest player to be hit by a wave of injuries, is expected to miss two weeks because of a shoulder contusion, the team said last night. Letang was hurt Saturday in the first period of a 5-0 loss at San Jose. He was trying to shoot the puck on a rebound on a power play, got tangled with Sharks defenseman Kent Huskins while he was off-balance and fell hard on his right side. He left the game. He had been playing the left point on the top power-play unit and has a goal and six assists. Defenseman Deryk Engelland is expected to make his NHL debut tonight for the Penguins, who already are without top defenseman Sergei Gonchar (broken left wrist)."
Kennedy could return tonight
"Right winger Tyler Kennedy, who has missed the Penguins' past three games with an undisclosed injury, took part in his first full practice with the team yesterday at Anaheim Ice and could return to the lineup as soon as tonight against the Ducks at Honda Center. "We still have to see how he reacts" to a full practice, coach Dan Bylsma said, "but he looks pretty good for [tonight]. Pretty good chances." Kennedy reacted with a smile when Bylsma's words were relayed to him. "I felt all right in practice," Kennedy said. "I feel pretty good. Time will tell, I guess." Kennedy had five goals and an assist in 11 games before getting hurt. He is usually part of a successful third line with center ..."
Penguins bench Malkin due to shoulder strain
"Coach Dan Bylsma, general manager Ray Shero and All-Star center Evgeni Malkin emerged from a closed-door meeting after practice yesterday at Mellon Arena with news of the latest injury problem for a Penguins team that so far hasn't been slowed because of missing players. Malkin, it turns out, played the past several games -- including a 6-1 win Wednesday against Montreal in which he took six shots and registered an assist -- despite a strained right shoulder. Team officials persuaded him to shut down for what Bylsma called "a couple weeks." "We're worried about the safety in the shoulder," Bylsma said. "A couple weeks, some rehab, some rest, we'll get that thing ready so we can get him ..."
Gonchar gets OK, but only for skating, practice
"Sergei Gonchar's broken left wrist will not keep him off the ice. With a hockey glove over his cast, wearing a red non-contact jersey and using only his right (non-shooting) hand on his stick, the Penguins' top defenseman took part in the team's optional morning skate yesterday. Gonchar, of course, did not play last night against New Jersey at Mellon Arena and will not play again for something near a month, but said he plans on continuing to practice. "The doctor told me that's what I can do," he said. It's a good thing Gonchar isn't overly superstitious, as many of his teammates are. Otherwise, he might wonder if he helped bring the injury on himself. After the morning skate Tuesday, he ..."
Gonchar out four to six weeks
"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be out for four to six weeks because of a broken bone in his left wrist, coach Dan Bylsma announced this afternoon. Gonchar apparently was injured when he was checked during the Penguins' 5-1 victory against St. Louis at Mellon Arena Tuesday night. Kris Letang is expected to replace Gonchar on the No. 1 power-play unit. It was not immediately known whether Bylsma will reconfigure his defense pairings because of Gonchar's absence. Gonchar has been playing with Brooks Orpik. Gonchar has two goals and six assists in nine games to tie Sidney Crosby for second place in the team scoring race, although he owns the only negative plus-minus rating (minus-2) ..."
Pens defenseman kicks cold, talks contract
"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said Wednesday he is finally over a nasty cold that afflicted him from the final week of training camp through the opening weeks of the regular season. "Mostly it just kept me tired all the time," he said. Gonchar added "it only makes sense" that his agent, JP Barry, and the Penguins have agreed to put off negotiations on a contract extension until after Jan. 1, when GM Ray Shero will have a better grasp on the 2010-11 salary cap. Gonchar, 35, is in the final season of a five-year deal at a $5 million annual cap hit. He reiterated his desire to finish his NHL career with the Penguins • Hurricanes goaltending coach Tom Barrasso is slated to become the ..."