Crosby not quite ready to come back
Penguins center Sidney Crosby did not make his season debut Thursday.
Coach Mike Sullivan said that Crosby was still not quite ready to return for Thursday’s game against the Calgary Flames. He remains day-to-day.
Crosby had surgery on his left wrist just over seven weeks ago (Sept. 8). He first returned to practice in a team setting Oct. 9 and has continued to clear all the hurdles. This week, he started doing faceoffs and board battles.
Then, at Wednesday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena, the star center took another step toward his return when he skated on the first line with Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues. He also reclaimed his spot on their top power-play unit.
Crosby participated in Thursday’s morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. But the team’s medical staff and Crosby are giving him more time to strengthen that wrist.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Sullivan said after the team got off the ice.
How close? It seems likely that Crosby suits up sometime in the coming days.
The Penguins next will play the New Jersey Devils Saturday at home. They then will get a few days off before playing host Thursday to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Playing with his lingering wrist injury last season, Crosby, 34, still scored 24 goals and added 38 assists in 55 games. He finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting.
Bjorkqvist soaking it in
The Penguins on Monday called up Kasper Bjorkqvist from their American Hockey League affiliate. The next day, the muscle-bound forward was battling along the boards and in front of the net with Crosby. Welcome to the NHL, kid.
“I’ve pushed some heavy sleds in my career, especially in college,” Bjorkqvist said. “We used to do a lot of sled work. That guy is hard to move, that’s for sure.”
In four games with WilkesBarre/Scranton before getting called up, the 24-year-old had one goal and four penalty minutes. With the Penguins on the verge of getting Crosby and other healthy forwards back in the lineup, this stint in Pittsburgh likely will be short-lived. He is not expected to make his NHL debut.
Still, the winger is trying to make the most of this time with the Penguins.
“Being around great players, or just NHL players in general, is awesome,” Bjorkqvist said, adding, “I’m just trying to work hard and hopefully at some point I get a chance. But right now, I’m just trying to soak in all the information and learn.”
Ruhwedel getting it done
For the first time in his Penguins career, defenseman Chad Ruhwedel might just be establishing himself as a lineup regular. The 31year-old righty has suited up for every game this season and he is currently skating on the second pair.
“I would look at it as more of an opportunity [than an accomplishment],” he said. “It’s nice to get some quality minutes early on in the season, kind of get your legs under you, get into a rhythm, instead of having to come into the lineup at random times throughout the year. I’m just trying to seize this opportunity.”
Ruhwedel had a plus-1 rating entering Thursday and advanced statistics say the Penguins have had above average puck-possession numbers with Ruhwedel on the ice. He has yet to record a point, but the Penguins don’t expect offensive production from Ruhwedel, who previously was trustworthy in a depth role.
“For me, when Chad’s at his very best you don’t notice him,” Sullivan said. “Because he is just very positionally sound. He makes simple plays. He defends well. There’s not one aspect of Chad’s game that I think jumps out at you with any sort of a wow factor. … He knows what his role is and he plays it extremely well for us.”
Carter nearing return
Sullivan said the Penguins are hopeful that Jeff Carter will exit the COVID protocol Friday, potentially allowing the center to practice in Cranberry later that day. He first entered the protocol Oct. 21 but remains asymptomatic, Sullivan said.
Kris Letang, meanwhile, is still experiencing COVID symptoms. There is no timetable to return for the defenseman, who entered the COVID protocol Saturday.