The Penguins oft-ravaged health took a small step forward Wednesday when Kasperi Kapanen joined his teammates wearing a black practice jersey, indicating he is cleared for contact – after missing the last 13 games with what Kapanen confirmed is a foot injury.
Although he did take a few reps with the second power play unit, the Pens forward wasn't part of any particular line which suggests it will still be some time before he returns to the line-up.
"No dates," Kapanen answered when asked if he has target for a return, "I feel good, like myself. When there's a foot injury, they take extra precaution but once I come back I want to kind of start where I left off; I feel like I was playing my game."
Kapanen hasn't played since leaving the 5-2 win over Buffalo on March 24th with a lower body injury but is still seventh on the team with 21 points – 7 G 14 A -.in 30 games.
Even though he is cleared for contact, there was really none of that during the 40-minute workout, but Kapanen says he'll be fine.
"Every hockey player is used to the contact," he explained, "I don't think that's going to be much of a problem for me. I've been with Geno and Ty (conditioning coach Ty Hennes) and the taxi squad guys; there's been some physicality and battle drills in the corners so it feels good."
Sullivan says, as always, he will listen to his medical staff but admits knowing exactly when to activate Kapanen is tricky. "We're going to do our best to bring his timing and conditioning up to speed but of the one challenges is we're not going to have a lot of practice time."
"There's not going to be an ideal time when we give Kappy the nod and put him back into the line-up," Sullivan continued, "but when that time comes he's going to have to, to a certain extent, get some of the conditioning and timing through the games and we'll try to manage that the best we can."
Kapanen had taken part in Tuesday's morning skate wearing a non-contact jersey as had Evgeni Malkin but Malkin was not on the ice with the team Wednesday.
Penguins practice began with Mike Sullivan delivering 10-minute lecture after his players had nearly blown a 6-0 third period lead some 16 hours earlier before hanging on for a 7-6 win over New Jersey. They play the Devils again Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena.
