Guentzel, Hainsey likely to get back into lineup tonight
For the past few weeks, the Penguins have gotten bad news on the injury front on a seemingly nightly basis. But over the past few days — even if the results haven’t been pretty — they appear to be creeping closer to getting at least close to a full complement of players on the ice.
Winger Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ron Hainsey likely will be the next to make a return. Both have skated in three consecutive practices, and Sullivan said they’re likely to return to the lineup Friday night in New York against the Rangers.
“They’ll be game-time decisions, but everything looks promising,” Sullivan said Thursday after practice. “They had strong practices today, they feel really good. It looks very promising.”
Guentzel has missed the past four games after being diagnosed with a concussion following a hit March 21 in Buffalo. Hainsey, meanwhile, has been out since March 15 — a span of six games — with an upperbody injury.
Sullivan also expressed optimism about the players out with longer-term injuries — defensemen Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley and Kris Letang, plus forwards Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin. Maatta, Daley, Letang and Malkin skated Thursday morning on their own, and Sullivan said he believed the entire group is “making progress in their returns.”
With Malkin and Letang, specifically, Sullivan said making sure they are as healthy as possible for the postseason is a factor in their rehabilitation.
“At this point, it’s medical clearance, but, with the thought in mind, we’re taking a cautious approach,” Sullivan said. “I think we’re hopeful that these guys are making progress and are going to be ready at the most important time of year for us.”
Three sent down
With the pending return of Guentzel and Hainsey, the Penguins reassigned defenseman David Warsofsky and forwards Oskar Sundqvist and Josh Archibald to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Sundqvist played in the past five games for the Penguins, registering two shots and no points.
Archibald played against Ottawa and the New York Islanders last week, but was a healthy scratch for the past two contests. Warsofsky’s only appearance in this NHL stint was in the Penguins’ 6-2 loss Sunday against Philadelphia, in which he picked up an assist.
Quick turnaround
Despite a late finish Wednesday night against Chicago thanks to NBC’s national telecast, the Penguins were back on the ice for practice at noon Thursday. Even though the team is dealing with a long list of injuries — as well as the various bumps, bruises and fatigue associated with this time of year — Sullivan said he never considered cancelling the practice as coaches often do this time of year.
The Penguins have had two off days as well as one off-ice workout over the past 10 days.
“We’re always weighing those decisions on what’s the best approach at this particular time of year,” Sullivan said.
“We felt as though it was an opportunity to get on the ice. We weren’t on the ice very long. We got an opportunity to work on one or two things and then we move on. Certainly, that’s always something at this time of year that we consider when we’re making those types of decisions.”
Hobey Baker update
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton winger Zach Aston-Reese was named Thursday as one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
Aston-Reese scored 31 goals and had 32 assists in 38 games as a senior at Northeastern this season before signing a two-year contractMarch 14 with the Penguins. In his first four games with the Baby Penguins, Aston-Reese has two goals and four assists.
The Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced April 7 at the Frozen Four in Chicago.