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Dan Muse clarifies Evgeni Malkin's status after first team skate
Penguins' Evgeni Malkin skated with his teammates for the first time today, and head coach Dan Muse provided some clarity on what it all meant.
Evgeni Malkin practiced in a no-contact jersey on Friday, his first practice with the team since suffering an upper-body injury in early December.
It's a good sign, but do not expect to see Malkin in the lineup during the team's two-game road trip to Detroit and Columbus.
What this all means in terms of Evgeni Malkin's status
The fact of the matter is, it's exactly the same; there's been no change in status on Malkin's part, according to head coach Dan Muse.
It was a non-contact practice for Malkin today, a cautious step towards skating with the team without taking the risk of any further setbacks. There's still no timeline on when he'll be game-ready, per Muse.
"Today was non-contact, and so, it was his first opportunity for him to kind of be out there. But it's a good step in the right direction. He will not go on this trip (to Detroit and Columbus)."
- Dan Muse
- Dan Muse
Why Tommy Novak could be affected shortly
On the other hand, the second-line centre role continues to feature Tommy Novak. Once Malkin clears the league hurdle and is given the green light to join the fray, Novak will see a drop in ice time and will probably move to a bottom-six role, which is likely where he is better suited anyway.
Malkin's presence on the ice is a positive indicator for the Penguins. They will be keeping close tabs over the next few days to see what the next phase is in terms of when their elite center may return.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Evgeni Malkin's return to action takes a turn after latest update at practice
Evgeni Malkin's return to action takes a turn after latest update at practice
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JANVIER 2 | 179 ANSWERS Dan Muse clarifies Evgeni Malkin's status after first team skate Are the Penguins being too cautious with Evgeni Malkin? | ||
| Yes | 60 | 33.5 % |
| No | 119 | 66.5 % |
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