Pittsburgh Penguins Finally Starting To Get Healthy Again
Nov 20, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Beau Bennett (19) passes the puck against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
There was some good news for Pittsburgh Penguins fans over the weekend as Beau Bennett had his first full practice with the team since he broke his wrist a few months ago.
Chris Conner, who is rehabbing a hand injury, also participated in a full practice, as did Brian Gibbons and Robert Bortuzzo, both of whom were injured Thursday against the Sharks. Backup goalie Tomas Vokoun was not on the ice despite his health improving.
Pittsburgh has been so banged up this season it’s not even funny. Injuries to Vokoun, Paul Martin, Kris Letang and Pascal Dupuis are just to name a few. Martin should be back in time for the playoffs and it’s unlikely that Letang comes back, but that’s beside the point.
Bennett, the player that was supposed to be Sidney Crosby‘s winger after Dupuis went down, looks to finally be coming back soon, which is huge news for the Penguins. Bennett should fit in beautifully on Crosby’s wing and could be a scoring threat every time he touches the puck.
He may be rusty at first which would be normal since he hasn’t played in over three months due to his bothersome wrist. Let’s hope he can fire up this Penguins team when he comes back in about a week and a half or so.
We don’t know for certain if Vokoun will play this season, but he may also be getting healthy again. The doctors said he was cleared to play hockey just a couple weeks ago, but it appears Tomas is taking this process very slow – which isn’t a bad idea.
He wants to be truly 100 percent when he goes out onto the ice and not be as rusty as many people might think he will be. If he does come back, the Penguins would have three goaltenders come playoff time just in case Fleury goes bad again.
I hope to see Tomas back on the ice soon because I’m sure he won’t want to retire after sitting out an entire season due to a blood clot issue.
I think Pittsburgh is getting healthy right before the playoffs, which is the best time to do so. If they can get key players such as Bennett, Martin and maybe Letang back before the playoffs, this team will be very dangerous.
I’m sure we will see some of those players soon. The playoff push comes first.