Vokoun To Begin AHL Conditioning Assignment, Malkin Skating Again
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Penguins Head Coach Dan Bylsma met with the media after today's practice and had updates on two of the team's injured players.
The first bit of news involved goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who has missed the entire season after suffering life-threatening blood clots in the preseason. Bylsma announced that the team is sending Vokoun down to the AHL on a conditioning assignment as he takes another step towards recovery.
There has been no indication as to whether or not this means the team has hopes of getting Vokoun back for the playoffs.
Having Vokoun ready for the postseason would likely be a nice insurance policy again after he stepped in for a struggling Marc-Andre Fleury last year and led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The second bit of news Bylsma shared was that injured center Evgeni Malkin has begun skating on his own again. This is the first step in his recovery from a hairline fracture in his foot that has caused him to miss the team's last eight games.
Despite the progress Malkin has made, there is still no guarantee that he will be ready in time for the playoffs. However, Bylsma did add that it's possible Malkin could play in the playoffs without appearing in another regular season game.
Meanwhile, the Penguins that are healthy are getting prepared to wrap up the regular season with only three games remaining against the Red Wings, Flyers and Senators.
Stay tuned to 93-7 The FAN for the latest coverage of the Pens heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
RELATED LINKS:
