Martin, Kunitz won’t play vs Sharks; Pens have 4 players sidelined with concussions

NEAL TO PLAY WITH STAAL AND KENNEDY

James Neal was not able to practice with Pittsburgh today but head coach Dan Bylsma said Neal will skate on a line with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy.

LETESTU, JEFFREY TO PRACTICE FULLY ON WEDNESDAY

— Forwards Dustin Jeffrey and Mark Letestu continue to progress very well from their respective injuries. Jeffrey and Letestu will be full participants in tomorrow’s morning skate, Dan Bylsma said in today’s media session.

Jeffrey who is recovering from a leg injury, will return to the lineup this week, while Mark Letestu’s (knee) return is not far behind.

KUNITZ, MARTIN WON’T PLAY VS SHARKS

Pittsburgh will be without Paul Martin for the second straight game. Martin is currently listed as day-to-day.

Meanwhile, winger Chris Kunitz who expressed some optimism that he might be able to play Wednesday night, was not a full participant in today’s practice. He will sit out another game.

PENS HAVE FOUR PLAYERS SIDELINED WITH CONCUSSIONS

How about this…. Pittsburgh has four players sidelined with concussions. Sidney Crosby, Nick Johnson, Eric Tangradi and Arron Asham. Bylsma said Johnson, Tangradi and Asham still have concussion like symptoms. You can add Sidney Crosby to that list too, who I don’t believe will return this season.

Johnson’s situation is interesting because he clearly suffered the concussion last Wednesday against Colorado in a fight with Ryan Wilson.

The Penguins though let Johnson return to the ice in the third period (he left for a significant period) after the fight and he practiced two days later on Friday at Southpointe before leaving the ice early. His injury situation was clearly not handled properly and as we know, this isn’t the first time.

CONNER GIVES UP NO.18

No surprise here, but according to the Penguins, Chris Conner has given up his No. 18. Conner will now wear 16, while Neal will wear 18.