Top-pairing defenseman Brian Dumoulin has resumed skating in recent days and is progressing in his return from December ankle surgery, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday.
“Dumo is making progress,” Sullivan said after practice Wednesday in Cranberry Township. “He skated the last couple of days. He’s, I think, tracking the right way, and the fact he is back on the ice right now is really encouraging.”
Dumoulin was injured during a Nov. 30 game against the St. Louis Blues and the following day underwent surgery to repair lacerated tendons in his left ankle.
At the time — 11 ½ weeks ago — the Penguins announced that Dumoulin, 28, was “expected to be sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks.”
Sullivan said there was “no yet” a timetable for Dumoulin to return to the lineup.
A six-year veteran, Dumoulin has teamed with Kris Letang to form the Penguins’ top pairing in recent seasons. He has one goal and seven points this season.
