The Penguins' COVIID-19 issues just won't go away.
On Monday, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan announced that a pair of defensemen, Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson, have been placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols after testing positive.
To this point, Ruhwedel is asymptomatic, while Pettersson is showing symptoms.
Since the late days of training camp until now, Pettersson, Ruhwedel, Zach Aston-Reese, Jake Guentzel, Kris Letang and Jeff Carter have all missed time due to the virus. Goalie Tristan Jarry missed a day of practice, but was cleared due to a false positive test.
Letang, according to Sullivan, was medically cleared to return to practice Monday and will rejoin the team Wednesday. He skated on his own Monday afternoon in Cranberry.
That's particularly good news, considering Letang had a stroke in 2014 possibly due to a hole in the wall of his heart, a defect since birth.
But the outbreak within the team is certainly a concern at this point, as players, coaches and staff balance normal life with the need to staying available to play.
"We've had a number of conversation with our guys over the last couple of years," Sullivan said. "I go back to last year. No on was vaccinated and we didn't have a single case. Our players exercise so much discipline through the course of the year and limit their expose to try to mitigate the risk.
"This is little bit different this year because there's some semblance of normalcy. The protocols aren't mandated. But I think our guys do a good job of just using common sense.
"I think, unfortunately for us, we've gotten it a few times. I doin't think it's because guys aren't diligent or aren't doing the right thing. I just think this is part of the world we're living in right now."
The Penguins have been testing players on a daily basis, a decision made by the team. The NHL requires vaccinated players be tested every 72 hours.
Joseph to the rescue?
Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph could be an option to fill the void left by the loss of Ruhwedel and Pettersson.
Jospeh skated with the team Monday.
A year ago, he played in 16 games, scoring one goal and assisting four more. He has scored one goal and added 12 assists this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL.
Hear his entire meeting with the media here:
