Going deep enough into the playoffs to win the Stanley Cup often comes with the cost of stacking up injuries, and the Pittsburgh Penguins paid the price.
As the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and others report, Phil Kessel (wrist) and others aren’t guaranteed to be healthy to start the 2016-17 regular season.
“All the injured guys are tracking in the right direction,” GM Jim Rutherford said. “Until they all get here, we won’t know 100 percent where they’re at, but it sounds like all the guys should be ready for camp.”
The Penguins aren't positive Kessel will be ready to start the season because of his hand surgery. Will be close.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) August 29, 2016
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review runs down a significant list of players who likely accrued bumps and bruises that may carry over:
Defenseman Trevor Daley, for instance, suffered a broken ankle on May 20. Kris Letang (foot), Nick Bonino (elbow infection), Bryan Rust (hand), Patric Hornqvist (hand) and Evgeni Malkin (elbow), among others, dealt with physical problems of varying severity at times.
If recent history is any indication, Kessel will probably fight hard not to miss time.
For all the weird criticisms he receives, he’s been remarkably durable, playing in every game during the past six seasons.
That’s impressive stuff, but the Penguins would be wise to keep an eye on the big picture. If it comes down to making Kessel and others swallow a little pride to limit the odds of aggravating injuries, they need to do it.
Even if it means a bumpy start to their title defense.