Penguins forward Jake Guentzel's status uncertain for upcoming road trip

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel will travel with the team for its upcoming road trip, predominantly through Western Canada.

But his status remains uncertain after he was struck in the head by a puck in the late stages of Thursday’s 6-1 home win against the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena.

Guentzel left the contest at 6 minutes, 51 seconds of the third period when a slap shot from Penguins defenseman Kris Letang hit Guentzel near his right ear.

The All-Star forward took a few moments to recover to his skates before heading down the runway to the dressing room. He did not return to the contest.

Guentzel was not present for Friday’s practice. Afterward, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan indicated Guentzel was being evaluated for an undisclosed injury but would travel for an upcoming five-game road trip that begins with a contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

In four games this season, Guentzel is the team’s second-leading scorer with five points (two goals, three assists) and has averaged 17:37 of ice time.

“He’s a great player, does a lot of stuff for us,” said top center Sidney Crosby, Guentzel’s long-time linemate. “Not an easy guy to replace. When you get injuries, you have to make ways to make up for the guys that you lose and what they bring. We’ll try to do that collectively.”

Guentzel typically skates on the team’s top line and with the top power-play unit. All the lines and both power-play groups looked different in his absence during Friday’s practice.

Danton Heinen was promoted from the third line to the top line in Guentzel’s absence.

“He’s got a great shot,” Crosby said of Heinen. “Competes hard. He can use his speed wide. He plays a pretty straight-line game, a pretty simple game. He knows the areas to go score goals, whether it’s in the slot or around the net. We’ll just try to communicate and talk to each other and generate. His game is a simple one. You know he can find those areas to shoot the puck. You just want to get him the puck in those areas.”

To this point in the season, Heinen has played predominantly on the third line with Jeff Carter at center and Kasperi Kapanen on the right wing. In four games, Heinen has four points (one goal, three assists) while averaging 14:05 of ice time.

Heinen professes a simple approach to potentially skating with Crosby as well as right winger Rickard Rakell.

“Not overthink it,” Heinen said. “Just play on instincts. If the shot is there, shoot. Don’t pass.”

Heinen’s elevated role prompted a promotion for Brock McGinn, as well, from the fourth to the third line.

Concerning the top power-play unit, Guentzel was replaced by Rakell. Defenseman P.O Joseph replaced Rakell on the second group.

Complicating matters for the Penguins and their upcoming road trip is the status of fourth-line center Teddy Blueger, who has been sidelined because of an undisclosed injury since a practice during training camp Sept. 28 and has yet to play a game.

Blueger skated in a white non-contact jersey Friday and remains “day to day” according to Sullivan.

The Penguins have 13 forwards on their roster, one more than the typical compliment of 12 in a lineup. Any corresponding transaction, such as a recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, presumably would require one or both players to go on long-term injured reserve as the Penguins currently have a mere $83,158 of salary cap space according to Cap Friendly.

In contrast, a league-minimum contract, such as one a player assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton might be signed to, is $750,000.

Placing a player on long-term injured reserve can provide a team temporary relief against the salary cap. But any player with that designation must remain on long-term injured reserve for a minimum of 10 games and 24 days on the NHL calendar.

In Blueger’s case, he already has missed four games and 12 days.

Beyond simply having 12 forwards available for a traditional lineup, keeping a healthy reserve immediately on hand would be prudent given the logistical challenges of traveling from Northeast Pennsylvania to Western Canada with any potential recalls from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

In addition to the Blue Jackets, the Penguins’ road trip includes contests with the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken.

Sullivan deferred a question regarding any potential corresponding roster maneuvers to general manager Ron Hextall.

During practice, the Penguins’ lines and pairs were:

43 Danton Heinen - 87 Sidney Crosby - 67 Rickard Rakell

16 Jason Zucker - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 17 Bryan Rust

23 Brock McGinn - 77 Jeff Carter - 42 Kasperi Kapanen

25 Ryan Poehling - 53 Teddy Blueger - 15 Josh Archibald

8 Brian Dumoulin - 58 Kris Letang

28 Marcus Pettersson - 26 Jeff Petry

73 P.O Joseph - 44 Jan Rutta

The top power-play unit involved Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Rakell and Rust. The second power-play unit included Carter, Heinen, Joseph, Petry and Zucker.

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