Pittsburgh Penguins Roster Update
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of a significant boost to their roster, as center Evgeni Malkin participated fully in practice for the first time since being placed on injured reserve in early December. Malkin, who has been sidelined for 15 games due to a shoulder injury, confirmed the specifics of his condition after practice. His last appearance on the ice was on December 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he delivered an impressive performance with two goals and a total of three points. This season, Malkin has notched eight goals and accumulated 29 points over 26 games.
Malkin’s Recovery and Team Performance
Following practice, Malkin expressed mixed emotions about his recovery, sharing,
“It’s, like, crazy, because I’m not feeling any pain after game, but next morning, I wake up, and, like, my upper body, it’s like I can’t move my shoulder. It’s crazy.”
The Penguins have experienced a remarkable turnaround, winning five consecutive matches since the holiday break, making Malkin’s imminent return even more promising for the team. Before his injury, he was performing well alongside teammates Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha, creating a potent line that the Penguins are eager to reassemble. In his absence, Tommy Novak has stepped in as the center for that second line, and while Malkin’s return might complicate lineup decisions, such dilemmas are welcomed by the coaching staff.
Head coach Dan Muse expressed optimism about Malkin’s progress, stating,
“I think it was a good step in the right direction having him out there. Full-blown practice, looked good, got another practice day tomorrow… So, we’ll continue to have conversations, but it was a good day for him.”
Although Malkin has his sights set on returning to the ice later this week, with the Penguins facing the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, a timeline for his comeback remains uncertain as per Muse’s comments.
Challenges and Roster Management
The Penguins recently demonstrated their resilience, overcoming a three-goal deficit to triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets, further proof of their potential this season. However, their roster faces more challenges as forward Rutger McGroarty exited practice early due to a collision with a teammate and was subsequently tended to by trainers. McGroarty has contributed two goals and three points across 16 games this season, though his current status remains unclear.
On the roster management front, rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke is returning to Pittsburgh after contributing to team Canada’s bronze medal win at the World Junior Championship. Brunicke, at 19 years old, cannot play in the AHL this season and has yet to activate his entry-level contract despite nine NHL appearances. A critical deadline looms, as by January 31, he will have spent 40 games on the active roster, which will impact the Penguins’ control over his contract status moving forward. Decisions regarding Brunicke’s tenure with the Penguins will need to be made soon, as the team considers whether he will continue with the WHL for the remainder of the season.
