Morning Pens Buzz: Picard recalled; Kennedy progressing well

*With Defenseman Kris Letang dealing with a nagging injury, the Penguins recalled defenseman Alexandre Picard from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League for tonight’s game, in case Letang is unable to give it a go tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Picard, 26, has appeared in nine games for WBS, collecting three assists and posting a team-best plus-7 rating – which places him 10th (tied) in the AHL. Picard was scoreless in two exhibition games for Pittsburgh during the preseason.

Picard, who signed with Pittsburgh as an unrestricted free agent on July 5, spent the 2010-11 season with the Montreal Canadiens. In 43 games with the Canadiens, Picard amassed three goals, five assists and eight points.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound blueliner, Picard has appeared in 236 career regular-season games for the Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes and Canadiens. During that time the Gatineau, QC native has collected 19 goals, 46 assists and 65 points.

With the recall of Picard, Zbynek Michalek has been placed on injured reserve. Michalek is out for at least another couple weeks with a broken finger.

Tidbits

*Jordan Staal’s availability for tonight is a wait and see situation. Staal who skated yesterday will be evaluated closer to game time following today’s morning skate.

Staal and Letang are officially listed as game time decisions.

*Tyler Kennedy continues to progress well from a mild concussion as he passed his base line testing and rejoined his teammates on the ice yesterday in San Jose.

Kennedy is said to be on track to be cleared for contact following the weekend, and should be close to returning to the lineup next Friday night vs Dallas.