Penguins forward Reilly Smith, defenseman John Ludvig close to returning

With the NHL’s trade deadline looming March 8, the Pittsburgh Penguins seem poised to add some players to their lineup as soon as Tuesday for a home game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Like top-six forward Reilly Smith and third-pairing defenseman John Ludvig.

OK, maybe not add them to the lineup. But bring them back.

Both skated in full capacities with contact during a practice session Sunday in Cranberry following lengthy absences from the team’s lineup.

After practice, coach Mike Sullivan suggested each player would be a “game-time” decision for Wednesday’s contest.

Smith has missed the past six games because of a suspected left arm injury he suffered during a 4-3 overtime home loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 11.

With the benefit of the Penguins’ bye week and the NHL’s All-Star break this past week, Smith professed he is hale and hearty enough to return to the lineup.

“I feel good,” Smith said. “It’s nice to have the break. I feel like everyone in the locker room and league really enjoys that time away. It’s nice to be able to do your cardio on the ice instead of on the bike. Fortunate for that.”

It would be charitable to suggest Smith has been fortunate over the past three months. Frankly, it’s more accurate to suggest he just hasn’t been productive over that stretch.

After generating 11 points (six goals, five assists) in the first 10 games of the season while stationed on the left wing of the second line, he has been limited to nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his 30 most recent contests.

In practices Sunday and Monday, he skated on a line with Evgeni Malkin at center and Drew O’Connor on the right wing. Additionally, he worked on the top power-play unit along with forwards Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust and defenseman Erik Karlsson.

“I try to base the season a game at a time,” Smith said. “That doesn’t change for me. Obviously, a long break in between games. My overall outlook on how the season progresses, that doesn’t change.”

All parties involved clearly hope Smith’s productivity changes for the better.

“Reilly’s obviously a good player and has a real impressive body of work in this league,” Sullivan said. “Had a great start to the season then had a stretch there where he wasn’t as productive. Hopefully, this will just give him an opportunity to come in with a refreshed mind, a refreshed level of energy and a forward-thinking outlook. We’re excited to get him back in our lineup.”

Ludvig, a rookie, has been absent from the Penguins’ lineup since a 3-1 home win against the New York Islanders on Dec. 31. He suffered an undisclosed ailment in a fight with Islanders forward Matt Martin off the opening faceoff.

A rough-and-tumble defender who never shies away from contact, Ludvig acknowledges the risks that come with his approach to the game.

“The way I play, it happens,” Ludvig said. “Injuries are going to happen. I have to accept that. The goal is to try to stay healthy and win some games coming down the stretch here.”

During Sunday’s practice, Ludvig skated on the third defensive pairing with Chad Ruhwedel. During Monday’s practice session, he skated as a reserve on a “fourth” pairing with spare forward Colin White.

Currently designated to long-term injured reserve, Ludvig was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Jan. 28 for conditioning purposes and appeared in two games before being summoned to the NHL roster Saturday.

“Taking a month off the game, your brain kind of slows down a bit,” Ludvig said. “So going down there was good to get back up to speed.

“I’m ready whenever they’re ready to have me back in.”