Being used on the wing suggests that Malkin was simply filling in for Chris Kunitz and may not be ready for Thursday's season opener. Malkin missed the preseason with a lower-body injury, but his status should be monitored over the next two days.
Details on Malkin's injury have been very vague. Six days ago head coach Mike Johnson originally said that Malkin would be out four or five more days, so it appears that Malkin's recovery is on schedule. Malkin has battled injuries throughout his career, so this is not the way he wanted to start the 2014-15 season. The Penguins start their season on Thusday, so monitor Malkin's status as the season approaches.
Malkin missed his second straight day of training camp on Friday, but he is expected to be ready to go for the start of the season. The Penguins announced on Thursday that Malkin is only dealing with a minor injury.
The Penguins announced on Thursday that he would be held out of the early portion of camp as a precautionary measure as he recovers from a minor undisclosed injury. Crosby is coming off of his healthiest season in four years, so it is a great sign to see him back on the ice right away. The injury is reportedly not related to the wrist injury he decided not to get surgery on this summer.
Mantha, 20, is the reigning CHL player of the year after scoring 57 goals and 63 assists (120 points) in 57 games with Val d'Or (QMJHL). Mantha had a great chance to make the Red Wings out of training camp, but now will likely start in the AHL when he returns in late-October/early-November.
There was a lot of talk about Crosby requiring surgery this offseason, but after further evaluation the Penguins have determined that he will continue to get treatment, but avoid surgery.
"Sidney Crosby has been undergoing treatment on a right wrist injury that he suffered during the season," general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "Sid is getting medical advice to determine the best path moving forward, including the possibility of arthroscopic surgery. No final decision has been made on surgery at this point. We expect to have a decision by early next week." After leading the League in scoring during the regular season (36 goals, 68 assists), Crosby had one goal and eight points in 13 playoff games.
It was been a tough season for Letang. He dealt with a knee injury to start the season, an elbow infection in December and January and then of course his stroke in February. Now Letang's latest injuries to his foot and hand, I'm sure he will be happy to relax his banged up body over the offseason.
The Pens will continue to keep Neal and Letang relegated to the second powerplay unit.
Malkin was on the ice for the morning skate taking line rushes with Jussi Jokinen and James Neal. His participation in the morning skate suggests that he will be good to go tonight in game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Crosby missed Sunday's game in Colorado, but will be back in tonight vs. the Red Wings. This could be a preview of the Penguins first-round playoff matchup. Two of Crosby's 36 goals this season have come vs. the Red Wings. Obviously, when he is available, he is in your lineup.
Letang has not played since January 27th after suffering a stroke in early February. He has been skating with the team since the middle of March, but will finally return tonight after a 10-week absence. He has 18 points (10G / 8A) in 34 games this season, but it is tough to expect him to tear it up in the remaining three games. However, this is a huge boost for the Penguins for the playoffs.
The Penguins announced that they will not have Crosby tonight due to an upper-body injury. His injury is not believed to be serious according to head coach Dan Bylsma. Consider Crosby day-to-day.
Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma said it is too early to say if Malkin will be ready to play game 1 of the playoffs. He has been out Sine March 23rd and will miss his seventh straight game tonight.
Malkin reportedly was injured in his first shift on Sunday vs. St. Louis, but still played 24:32. In the middle of the fantasy playoffs this is rough for Malkin owners. The injuries continue to mount for the Penguins. Two-to-three weeks means there is a chance that Malkin will likely miss the remainder of the regular season.
There is no word whether or not Malkin will play tonight. They may have just given him the morning off. Monitor his status before tonight's clash with the Coyotes.
With Cam Fowler and Nick Bonino out with injuries, the Ducks have recalled Rakell along with Emerson Etem. Rakell, 20, has one assist in nine games with the Ducks this season. While in the AHL he has tallied 14 goals and 23 assists (37 points) in 46 games.
Letang has been out since he suffered a stroke in late January. The Penguins will not will not rush Letang back considering the gravity of his condition, but it sounds like he will be back before the end of the regular season.
This is fantastic news for the Penguins. Earlier in the week there were reports that they don't expect him to be back this season, now he is cleared for full practice. Being cleared for full practice and being cleared to skate is a big difference. Expect Letang to be a full participant this week and if all goes well he could be back soon.
