Your Friendly Neighborhood Injury Update

D-man Kris Letang continues to be sidelined with concussion symptoms.

It’s hard to believe we’re not even midway through the season, and yet the hockey gods have already made their presence known. As much as we love getting to know the guys from Wilkes-Barre, it’s been rough watching our boys in black and gold be placed on the IR.

Let’s see how everyone is doing…

Will Soon Return:

Paul Martin and Richard Park both suffered lower-body injuries in December. Though, they have been spending time with the team and, according to Bylsma, “look good going into the weekend.”

Pascal Dupuis, who suffered and upper-body injury, returned to practice today. He practiced on the second line, as usual, and is a very high possibility for Friday.

On the Road to Recovery:

Robert Bortuzzo, a victim of the NHL’s concussion epidemic, reported being symptom free and will be returning to practice. After he works on his conditioning, he should be good to go.

Arron Asham (lower body) did not practice with the team today and is still listed as day-to-day.

Injured Reserve:

Dustin Jeffrey, the breakout star of last year’s call-up club, continues to progress through rehabilitation for his torn ACL.

Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby, arguably two of hockey’s brightest starts, continue to be sidelined with recurring concussion symptoms. The rumor mills have begun churning out the latest in speculations, but it’s important to remember that these are two of the NHL’s most dedicated players, who will stop at nothing to play the game they love.

Pittsburgh Penguins: A Year In Review

Here's hoping the Three Headed Monster will make another appearance in 2012

Note: Yes, this is a couple of days late, but it’s still relevant.

January
Well, January was supposed to be a great month for the Penguins. On January 1st, the team was to play in their second Winter Classic game, this time in Pittsburgh on Heinz Field, against the Washington Capitals. The game was hyped up even more, thanks to the teams being featured on HBO’s ‘24/7: Road to the Winter Classic’. Jordan Staal, who had yet to play a game because of foot and hand injuries, was finally returning.Team captain Sidney Crosby was having a phenomenal year, leading the league in goals. All that ended soon after. After being hit in the head by David Steckel in the Winter Classic and Victor Hedman in a game with Tampa Bay right after, Crosby was sidelined with a concussion. In happier news, Kris Letang and Marc Andre Fleury took part in their first NHL All Star game.