Penguins Lose Fehr to Lower-Body Injury

Eric Fehr could miss at least a month with a lower-body injury, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan revealed today. The big forward’s legs folded awkwardly beneath him after he was checked by Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki during the second period of Tuesday’s victory over Ottawa. He exited the ice in visible pain and had to be helped to the locker room.

The announcement ended two days of speculation over the severity of the injury.

Skating mostly on the third and fourth lines, Fehr has struggled to produce as expected during his first season with the black and gold. Following a dramatic two-point debut on October 31, the Winkler, Manitoba native tallied just four goals over his past 38 games.

Still, the 11-year NHL veteran found ways to contribute. Putting his 6’4″ 212-pound frame to good use, Fehr was one of the Pens’ top defensive forwards and penalty killers. His versatility provided the coaching staff with plenty of options. And, in one of the season’s seminal moments, he fought the Blue Jackets’ Brandon Dubinsky to help the floundering Pens forge a new identity.

“He’s a huge, huge part of what we do,” said Matt Cullen, who’ll be called upon to pick up much of the slack in No. 16’s absence.

Fehr is the third Penguins forward to go on IR in recent weeks. Beau Bennett was activated on January 23 after missing five weeks and promptly reinjured his shoulder. Center Nick Bonino’s been out since January 13 nursing a hand injury. Left wing Chris Kunitz and defensemen Kris Letang and David Warsofsky have missed time as well.

Malkin Hurt

Center Evgeni Malkin will not make the trip to Florida for this weekend’s key conference matchups with the Lightning and the Panthers. Instead, he’ll remain in Pittsburgh and attempt to rehab what’s described as a “nagging lower-body injury.”

Malkin, who participated in the NHL All-Star Game last Sunday, leads the Pens with 23 goals and 26 assists. His 49 points rank sixth in the league scoring race heading into Thursday’s games.

Penguins Call Up Sundqvist

In the wake of the untimely injuries, the Penguins have summoned center Oskar Sundqvist from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The club’s third-round pick in 2012, Sundqvist will get his first taste of NHL action. He tallied five goals and 16 points in 39 games with the Baby Pens while filling mostly a defensive role. The 21-year-old Swede has good size (6’3″ 209) and can play an abrasive game.