Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson, forward Jason Zucker resume skating
Injured Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson and Jason Zucker have resumed skating at the team’s facility in Cranberry.
Both players worked on the ice before the team’s practice Sunday morning, though it is believed the pair also were on the ice during a scheduled off day Saturday.
A return to the ice is a considerable step in their recoveries from various injuries, particularly for Zucker, who has missed 26 of the past 27 games because of a core muscle injury that required surgery Jan. 25. He is on long-term injured reserve, a measure that grants partial relief of his salary cap hit.
Matheson has missed the past four games with an undisclosed ailment. He is on regular injured reserve.
“They started skating,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “Obviously, the fact that they’re on the ice is a next step for them. That’s encouraging for them from that standpoint. From a status standpoint, that doesn’t change anything. The fact that they take that next step — they’re on the ice with (skating and skills development coach Ty Hennes) — we’ll see where that goes. Obviously, the progress to return to play is to start with Ty, then join the team, then particulate (in practice) in full capacity. They were on the ice today, and that’s a big step for both of them.”
No specific timeframe for either player’s return has been offered.
For Zucker, his ailment has hindered him dating to December. After initially missing seven games throughout December and January, he played — and scored twice — in a 5-3 road win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 17 but then was sidelined again.
“He’s a big part of our crew,” Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen said. “We all love (Zucker). He’s a big part of this team. It’s good to see him kind of coming back. He played that game in Vegas and then kind of had a setback. Always (stinks). But it’s good to see that he’s making some progress. We miss him. Hope he comes back soon.”
Domingue resumes practicing
Penguins reserve goaltender Louis Domingue was a full participant in practice Sunday for the first time since he suffered a right foot injury during an optional morning skate Jan. 20.
Currently designated to injured reserve, Domingue has missed the past 18 games with his ailment.
During Sunday’s practice, starting goaltender Tristan Jarry and backup Casey DeSmith got the bulk of the work while Domingue mixed in.
Domingue has appeared in one NHL game this season. During a 2-1 road win against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 15, he made 40 saves on 41 shots.
Forward Evgeni Malkin did not practice Sunday for what was termed as a “maintenance day.”
Heinen sticks to his own business
Penguins forward Danton Heinen is very familiar with what goes on in the NHL as the league approaches the trade deadline.
After all, he was once dealt at the deadline.
On Feb. 24, 2020, the Boston Bruins dealt Heinen to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Nick Ritchie.
And given that he is signed to a one-year deal with the Penguins, the chance he could be moved before this season’s deadline March 21 is a possibility, though there is little to suggest the Penguins are actively shopping the versatile winger.
Heinen acknowledges the chance he gets traded. But he doesn’t dwell on it.
“Naturally, you hear some of it maybe,” Heinen said. “For me myself, I try to block it out. Not look into anything. Kind of worry about your own business. That’s my way of looking at it. Don’t worry too much about it. Whatever happens, happens. Stick to your own business.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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