Penguins/NHL
Evgeni Malkin’s season is likely over as the Penguins forward has a torn MCL, ACL. Malkin is currently discussing options with doctors and surgery is expected. “Evgeni Malkin had an MRI this morning and results showed he has torn MCL and torn ACL. At this point in time, discussing options with doctors on what to do next, head coach Dan Bylsma said.
Malkin is getting a second opinion on whether rehab is an option but surgery is the most likely option, which will end his season.
Unless it is a very small tear, rehab is not going to be an option.
“This is a difficult injury for him, ” Bylsma said. “It was kind of a fluke situation going into the boards with a guy. That’s a tough injury for Geno. We have dealt with games without him. We’ve managed to find our way without him. That’s what we’re going to have to look at now.”
Early indications from those close to the situation is that Malkin’s recovery time will be 6-to-8 months, at the minimum.
BYLSMA AUDIO ON MALKIN: Bylsma Audio 2-5-11
Here are some practice notes I had prepared before the Malkin news broke at Bylsma’s media session. I caught up with Eric Tangradi after practice:
LOCKER ROOM TALKING POINTS
I spoke with Eric Tangradi in training camp and pressed him about what type of players the Penguins lack and he agreed back in September when I brought up that the Penguins are still trying to replace that Ryan Malone type of player.
Tangradi mentioned months ago that he see’s himself as that type of player and the Penguins are looking for Tangradi to mold into that player, hopefully by next season.
In two games since his callup, Tangradi has not been overly impressive. He has just one shot on goal but he’s done the little things well, being a front net-presence and being effective with his wall play.
However, Tangradi said his game is different from how it was in October and that now he is playing with a sense of purpose and told me today he has the drive to be a “dominant” player in around the net “someday”.
Tangradi on Capitals Rivalry: “It’s going to be excited. Going to be on NBC, a lot of people watching. Definetely some extra energy in the room because of what happened the last time we played. Coming up I still definitely understand the feel of the rivalry and I’m ready for the challenge.”
Tangradi on his Play: “I’m playing with more of a purpose. I’ve obviously elevated every part of my game halfway through the season. I feel as confident as I’ve ever been. As far as my game, I think every time I’m out there I’m trying to score where in the past I would just try to make a play to get by.”
On being a dominant player in around the net: “That’s where {in around the net} I’m going to get my chances. I have a big frame, I need to be able to use it in front and get those second opportunities. That’s the area I’m going to need to dominate someday and an area I’m trying to get better at.”
OTHER INJURY NEWS
*No new update on Arron Asham who will not play tomorrow. He has a shoulder injury.
*Zbynek Michalek will be in the lineup tomorrow. He was given a day off.
*The Penguins have not ruled out calling up
a player as insurance for tomorrow as other players are banged up.
Updated: The Penguins this evening announced that the team has recalled forward Tim Wallace. He’ll play on the 4th line if he gets in the lineup.
Wallace, 26, has appeared in 17 NHL games with Pittsburgh in his career, recording two assists and a plus-2 rating.
Wallace (6-foot-1, 207 pounds) has played 45 games with WBS this season, notching 15 goals and 28 points. He’s added four power-play goals, a plus-6 rating and 125 shots on goal.
Wallace, who has played the past five seasons with WBS, has totaled 70 goals and 128 points in 287 career games for the Penguins’ top-minor league affiliate. He tallied 12 points (3G-9A) in 44 postseason games.
Wallace played four collegiate seasons with Notre Dame from 2002-06. He is the school’s all-time “iron man” after not missing a game in his four years (153 games). Wallace ranks third on the all-time school list in games played, while adding a career point total of 59 (25G-34A).
