Penguins' Noel Acciari nearing return after recovering from concussion

When injured players are able to suit up and get back to practicing with teammates minus any restrictions, it’s usually a pretty good sign that they’re trending in the right direction with regards to recovering from whatever sidelined them.

That’s the spot Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari appears to be in after he skated at the club’s practice facility in Cranberry on Wednesday and could be activated from injured reserve in time for Thursday evening’s home game against Montreal.

“Today he was a full participant (and) he was cleared for contact,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’ll see how he responds, and then we’ll make decisions accordingly. Right now, I think his status will be day-to-day.”

Acciari has been absent from the Penguins’ lineup for more than two weeks because of a concussion he suffered Feb. 6 after Winnipeg defenseman Brenden Dillon checked him in the head along the boards of the offensive zone in an eventual 3-0 Penguins win.

Brenden Dillon was assessed a match penalty for an illegal hit to the head of Noel Acciari#LetsGoPens | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/86egkiximB

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 7, 2024

Acciari steadily has gotten closer to returning to action, culminating with full-go participation in practice Thursday.

“I feel good,” Acciari said. “Body feels better. Just excited to get back with these guys.”

Acciari has scored three goals with an assist in 39 games while averaging 12 minutes, 48 seconds of ice time.

When he’s been healthy, Acciari also has been one of the Penguins’ most important contributors on the penalty kill, seeing 2:13 of shorthanded ice time per game.

Dillon’s hit on Acciari was arguably the most violent a Penguins player has absorbed this season.

In the aftermath of the collision, Dillon was suspended three games without pay by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

Asked for thoughts on Dillon and his punishment, Acciari expressed a desire to move forward, while crediting Dillon for initiating a conversation privately after the dust settled.

“It is what it is,” Acciari said. “He reached out and texted me. It’s hockey. You’re going to get hit. It is what it is. I just want to focus on me feeling better and getting back out with these guys.”

Acciari will rejoin a Penguins (24-21-8) club teetering at the brink of missing the playoffs for a second straight season, with just three points accrued over their last six games (1-4-1).

Over that span, Acciari has had to navigate being a spectator.

“It’s tough for me just to want to be out there with them,” Acciari said. “Watching is tough and seeing how hard these guys are working and how badly we want it, it’s just not going our way right now. Whenever I get the call to come back, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team.

“… We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I think we have a really good group, a hard-working group and everyone wants to win.”

Acciari’s return to the fold at a critical juncture might not carry enough momentum to alter the Penguins’ course leading into the NHL trade deadline March 8.

But Acciari’s presence on the ice is one that will be welcomed, particularly by his coach

“He’ll bring what he always brings. He’s a warrior,” Sullivan said. “He’s just an ultimate competitor. He blocks shots, he helps us on the penalty kill, he’s good in the faceoff circle. I think he brings a gritty element to our lineup that can be contagious with our group. I think he’s been a big part of us being more difficult to play against.

“He’s been a huge part of the penalty kill success that we’ve had this year. We use him in so many important situations, and just his sheer competitiveness and grit that he brings to our lineup every night is something that I think makes us a much better team.”

Note: The Penguins placed forward Colin White on waivers Wednesday afternoon, potentially paving the way for Acciari to return Thursday night vs. Montreal. White, 27, had zero points in 11 games with the Penguins since a mid-January call-up from Wilkes/Barre/Scranton. Signed to a one-year deal in October, his salary cap hit is $775,000. White can be claimed by another NHL club through 2 p.m. Thursday, after which he is eligible to be reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.