Penguins/NHL
TUESDAY’S PRACTICE BUZZ After missing all of training camp, Evgeni Malkin returned to practice with his teammates today for the first time. Malkin who was believed to have been dealing with a lower body injury, skated smoothly and was strong on his skates, not looking like a player who will miss much time, if any at all as the Penguins open the season at home on Thursday night vs Anaheim.
However, Malkin skating on wing tonight might be a precursor that he might not be ready for Thursday night.
With Chris Kunitz not practicing, Malkin took line rushes on Sidney Crosby’s left wing. Patric Hornqvist remains on Crosby’s right wing which has been the case for about a week now since Crosby made his preseason debut last Wednesday.
KAPENEN HEADING BACK TO EUROPE
The Penguins have not officially made the roster move yet but the decision has been made to send top pick Kasperi Kapanen back to Europe for “now”. Kapanen was informed of the decision yesterday.
Meanwhile, Oskar Sundvist remains with the team and is practicing skating on the fourth line.
The Penguins still have to get their roster to 23 players or under by 5:00 p.m. today.
PRACTICE LINES & D-PAIRS
Evgeni Malkin – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist
Steve Downie – Brandon Sutter – Pascal Dupuis
Nick Spaling – Marcel Goc – Blake Comeau
Zach Sill/Andrew Ebbett – Oskar Sundqvist – Craig Adams
D-PAIRS
Christian Ehrhoff – Kris Letang
Olli Maatta – Paul Martin
Rob Scuderi – Simon Despres
Taylor Chorney – Scott Harrington (Extra Pair)
