Mumps or not, it doesn’t sound like Sidney Crosby will be out much longer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, even if he’s missing tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The same cannot be said for defenseman Olli Maatta, however.
The Penguins released two updates regarding the 20-year-old blueliner on Saturday, noting that he’s still undergoing testing and seeking a second opinion on an upper-body injury that has him on IR. He could be out “weeks.”
#Pens Coach Johnston on Olli Maatta: "They’re still running tests on him and trying to get a second opinion with the injury."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 13, 2014
Johnston: "IR indicates (Maatta) will be out a couple weeks while they’re running tests & figuring out where they’re going to go with it."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 13, 2014
It’s been a trying season for Maatta, to say the least.
He had a cancerous tumor removed via surgery earlier this season and managed to come back much earlier than expected. He then got injured once again last weekend, leaving many worried about his outlook for at least the short-term future.
The waiting game also continues with Crosby, as the team didn’t provide an update (aside from there being no update).
#Pens Coach Johnston said there is no update on Sidney Crosby.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 13, 2014
With Kris Letang and Patric Hornqvist back in the mix, the Penguins are getting healthier. That doesn’t mean they’re at full strength yet, though.