PITTSBURGH -- Here are your Penguins health updates prior to Game 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final:
Nick Bonino: The center of the HBK line -- he’s the B between Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel -- Bonino didn’t skate yesterday and didn’t practice today, but will be “fine” for the series opener, per head coach Mike Sullivan.
Bonino was shaken up during Pittsburgh’s Game 7 win over the Lightning in the Eastern Conference final, with what looked to be a lower-body injury (possibly a leg ailment, due to blocking a shot).
Bonino has been terrific this postseason, with 15 points in 18 games.
Kris Letang: This one is a little more unclear. Letang didn’t practice on Sunday and, like Bonino, didn’t meet with reporters during Stanley Cup media day afterward.
Sullivan didn’t address Letang’s absence during his availability. So nobody’s quite sure what’s going on.
Letang logged his usual massive ice time in the series clincher against the Bolts -- 28:13 -- and there was no indication he was dealing with any injury.
Trevor Daley: Interesting development from Daley during media availability. He said his timetable for return from a broken ankle in Game 4 (May 20) of the Tampa Bay series was 4-8 weeks, and wouldn’t completely rule out a return in this Stanley Cup Final.
Now, do keep in mind Sullivan already said Daley’s season was done, and Daley acknowledged that’s probably true.
“I do feel sorry for myself,” the veteran blueliner said. “I try to control what I can control. This -- I can’t control this situation. So I’m going to have to try and make the best of it.
“I’ll be around, but I don’t know about being involved. They ain’t gonna keep me away, though. I’m going to be around for this.”
Update:
The official word from the Penguins is that Letang and Bonino had a "maintenance day" today.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPGH) May 29, 2016