Penguins’ defenseman Olli Maatta is hoping to avoid a second shoulder surgery.
According to Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Maatta will get a second opinion on his shoulder this week.
The Penguins placed Maatta on injured reserve with shoulder soreness on Saturday.
He had surgery in May to repair a labrum tear and the latest injury is in the same shoulder.
Pens’ GM Jim Rutherford confirmed to Rossi that Maatta would have a second opinion.
It is unknown how long a second surgery would keep Maatta out of the Penguins lineup.
Maatta, who has a goal and nine points in 20 games this season, has not played since Dec. 6.
The 20-year-old missed time in November for surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his thyroid.