Staal feeling better than expected; Letestu on wing being explored by staff

Tuesday’s Notes

After skating with somewhat of a limp last week, Penguins center Jordan Staal is feeling little to no pain in his injured foot.

Staal went through a full workout this morning and felt great today, saying afterwards he feels that he could play tomorrow.

Staal is progressing from his latest setback at a more accelerated rate than expected. For the time being, the infection has been healing properly and Staal is itching to get back into the lineup.

If everything continues to go well, he is now looking like a possibility to return in 3-to-4 weeks and should be back by mid-November.

*Defenseman Brooks Orpik (groin) and Arron Asham (shoulder) will both travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. Orpik has not been ruled out for Thursday’s game but talk this morning is that he will sit out for one more game and return to the lineup Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues, barring no setbacks between now and Saturday.

Winger Arron Asham is believed to be targeting next Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will not play Thursday night and likely won’t dress against the St. Louis Blues. He’s getting very close and has been cleared for contact.

*Mark Letestu remained on the 2nd line with Mike Comrie and Evgeni Malkin today. With Staal’s eventual return, assistant coach Tony Granato has been working with Letestu on the side near the end of practice on his board work.

Letestu said he is open to playing wing and It’s something that has already been discussed between Letestu and the coaching staff as Jordan Staal’s eventual return gets closer.