Dave Molinari of the Post-Gazette reports that defenseman Brooks Orpik will have abdominal surgery this month. Pens GM Ray Shero tells Molinari that the operation is scheduled for around the middle of this month, and that Orpik will be able to start training in “two or three weeks”
Abdominal injuries have become common for NHL players.
Chris Kunitz had abdominal surgery in January that caused him to miss about four weeks and former Penguin Petr Sykora had his disappointing 2009-2010 season end due to an abdominal injury.
Meanwhile, Shero reportedly mentioned last week that Chris Kunitz may need surgery on a torn groin muscle he played with near the end of the season.
Regarding possible surgery for Kunitz, there is nothing new on that front or any kind of timetable for when a decision needs to be made, according to a source in Kunitz camp.
According to team sources, surgery for Kunitz appears very unlikely. The injury is expected to heal with rest.