Penguins Update: Wilson on the Shelf

The Penguins’ drive to the playoffs took another hit today.

Coach Mike Sullivan revealed this morning that left wing Scott Wilson will be out long-term. Although the nature of the injury was not disclosed, it’s believed to involve Wilson’s right foot or ankle.

“Scott is going to need surgery,” Sullivan told Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “There isn’t a timeframe yet, but once his swelling decreases we’ll have more definitive information. But it’s going to be a longer term injury that requires surgery.”

With five goals in his past 12 games, the 23-year-old rookie heated up in recent weeks while making a statement with his gritty, two-way play. On Monday GM Jim Rutherford rewarded the Oakville, Ontario native with a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $625,000.

Wilson was injured last Friday night when he was drilled into the end boards on a questionable hit by the Blue Jackets’ Dalton Prout. Evgeni Malkin was hurt in a collision with the rugged Columbus defenseman earlier in the contest.

It’s unclear who’ll be tapped to replace Wilson. Beau Bennett is practicing with the team, but hasn’t been green-lighted by the medical staff to return to action. The fragile forward’s missed the past 22 games with an upper-body injury.

Defenseman Ben Lovejoy, out since February 20 with an upper-body injury, is nearing a return as well.