Guentzel asymptomatic, could be good for opener

The Penguins on Tuesday shared encouraging news on the COVID-19 front, saying that Jake Guentzel has been asymptomatic since he was confirmed positive for the virus Sunday. That gives hope he could play in the Oct. 12 season opener.

Additionally, the Penguins as of noon on Tuesday had not added anyone else to the NHL’s COVID protocol list in the48 hours since announcing that the top-line winger was their second player in the span of a week to contract the virus.

Zach Aston-Reese was the first and went on the COVID protocol list Sept. 27.

Both players are “making progress,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan reported before Tuesday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena.

“Jake has been asymptomatic to this point. So that’s a real positive from our standpoint,” he said after the morning skate. “Zach went through some symptoms. He’s feeling much better. But that’s part of the reason why Zach’s protocol process has been as long as it [has been]. We’ll see how it goes with Jake.”

Guentzel and Aston-Reese will continue to be monitored by the team’s medical staff and will follow the protocols set forth by the league, the team said.

Bothplayers are fully vaccinated and are considered breakthroughcases. The team has not said if those two confirmed COVID cases are linked or isolated.

When training camp opened Sept. 23, general manager Ron Hextall said that only one Penguins player had not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but added then that within a few weeks, 100% of the team would be fully vaccinated.

Still, the Penguins this week have in some instances reverted back to the stricter protocols that were in place last season.

For example, Sullivan said that all players, coaches and team staffers will receive daily COVID tests for the time being.

And they all have been wearing masks and social distancing in team settings.

Sullivan on Sunday was cautiously optimistic they would stop the spread.

“Hopefully, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not going to be something that drags out all season,” Sullivan said. “If we can get ahead of it now, maybe we can stop this and can go back to some semblance of normalcy.”

Hallander makes debut

A few days before training camp, Filip Hallander declared that he was “here to take a spot.” But a nagging lower-body injury sidelined the forward prospect for a week and prevented him from playing in the first three preseason games.

Hallander was in the lineup against the Sabres. Before the game, Sullivan said the 21year-old still had time to make up ground and secure that roster spot.

“It’s hard to assess guys in practice. There are aspects of Filip’s game that jump out at us. He’s pretty good in the battle areas. He goes to the net. I think he has a little bit of edge to his game that I think is a competitive advantage for him,” Sullivan said. “I’ll be more interested in watching him in an NHL exhibition game.”

It unofficially was Hallander’s first professional game in North America.

“Of course, it’s exciting. And I’m a bit nervous, as well. I’m not going to lie. It’s a big moment,” the 2018 secondround pick said beforehand. “Of course, it’s preseason. But for me, it’s an opportunity to prove myself. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Bagging the skates?

Two seasons ago, Sullivan often canceled morning skates on game day as a way to keep his players fresh. The team’s strong record backed up that approach.

The Penguins, due to COVID-related restrictions, often held them last season.

Sullivan said that he plans to go back to what he did in 2019-20 and have sporadic morning skates, something that most players also found to be beneficial.

“We’ve always believed that a fresh hockey team is a more competitive hockey team,” he said.

“And there’s a mental grind associated with having to put your equipment on twice a day times 80 to 100 games. … We can [accomplish the same objectives] a number of different ways with dynamic warmups.”

Riikola on the right

Left- shot defenseman Juuso Riikola, who is battling for one of the last roster spots during training camp and the preseason, slid over to the right side Tuesday.

Being able to play both sides would likely increase his odds of sticking in Pittsburgh.

“Juuso has played the right side for us. I know it’s not his ideal preference. … Anytime we can have some of that, it just gives us more versatility,” Sullivan said.