The hits just keep on comin’ for our Penguins. The team announced today that it has placed star forward Jake Guentzel on injured reserve. Jake’s expected to miss three-to-four weeks with an undisclosed upper body.
If Guentzel was placed on LTIR as seems to be the case (the Pens’ news release didn’t specify) he’ll be required to miss 10 games and 24 days.
Needless to say, the news comes as a blow in more ways than one. In addition to losing our leading point-getter (tied with Sidney Crosby) and arguably second most impactful player just as we prepare to enter the most challenging part of our schedule, the injury threatens to kybosh any potential trades POHO/GM Kyle Dubas has in the works for the pending UFA.
The bright side if you can call it that? Placing Jake on LTIR cleared enough cap space to allow the Pens to recall forwards Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza and Valtteri Puustinen from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Recent concussions sustained by Noel Acciari and Jansen Harkins and cap constraints forced the Pens to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen during last night’s loss to the Panthers.
Hopefully the recalls will arrive in Chicago in time to suit up for tonight’s game against the Blackhawks.
A side note…former first-round pick Sam Poulin, who’s potted 11 goals in 26 games for the Baby Pens, hasn’t played since February 3 with an apparent injury.
