Penguins/NHL
THURSDAY’S PENGUINS NOTES
Malkin, Letang could return Friday: Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are possibilities to return to the lineup tomorrow night vs the New York Rangers. Of the two, there seems to be a bit more optimism in Letang playing but Malkin said he’ll see how he feels after Friday’s morning skate and go from there. Look for Malkin to sit another game or two.
Letang, though, is recovered from an elbow injury he suffered on December 13th vs the Devils and says his “strength is good”. He has been skating hard the past couple days.
“Kris Letang also progressing back with full practice, has been skating for the past three {days} quite extensively,” head coach Dan Bylsma said after today’s practice.
Conner to be sidelined till after the Olympics: Hand injuries have been a problem for the Penguins this season and they have another. The team announced today that Chris Conner will have hand surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Bylsma on the addition of Pyatt: Adding size is a priority for the Penguins which prompted the decision to claim Taylor Pyatt along with the injury situation the Penguins are dealing with.
“Being able to add an NHL player and forward at this point in time with our roster and our injury situation is key,” Bylsma said of the move. “Taylor has played a long career and has been a guy who played well in Vancouver, Phoenix and for the Rangers in parts of last year. This year he hasn’t been able to get footing there and be a factor. Hopefully we’re looking at an NHL forward with size to our lineup and have him come in and do that.”
