Penguins injury news 2-23-2011

This injury list keeps getting longer, and the Day to Day, is week to week. Upper Body injuries are codeword for Concussion, and bodies are hitting the floor instead of gliding over the ice majestically. Practices don't make perfect, they make players audition for mayor of Injury city, currently held by Evgeni Malkin and his season ending knee injury.

Ten players this list is up to now with it's most recent addition of Paul Martin after taking a hit by Patrick Sharpe in the game against the Blackhawks sunday. Martin did not play against the Caps, and isn't set to play against the Sharks either, he is listed Day to Day. Martin did however skate prior to practice this morning, along with Chris Kunitz, Arron Asham, and Mike "Hillary wants me traded to San Jose" Comrie. Mark Letestu has also been working out more and could possibly return as early as Friday against Carolina, but more modestly some time next week.

Letestu does feel confident in his knee however, "It's been 18 days today," he said, "and I don't feel (discomfort in the left knee) anymore." Mark has stated several times he feels like he could play as soon as this weekend, which is pretty good for an original 4-6 week prognosis of his condition. The rookie was producing very well for the Penguins in the face off circle winning more than 52% of his faceoff's taken and putting up 20 points (10g 10a) in the 50 games played this season. When asked about how long he felt he needed to return? "Next week, I don't doubt it. That's a modest goal."

Four players are suffering from concussion like symptoms. Arron Asham, Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson, and Sidney Crosby. Nick Johnson was listed as an upper body injury up until Bylsma recently admitted that he is actually suffering from a Concussion. There is still no word on Crosby if he'll be back in March or not, speculatively he may not even be back this season period, let alone for the playoffs.

So now the Penguins look to their new additions in Neal and Niskanen to help right the ship and keep a team healthy and getting healthier by the day. The two had not yet seen time on the ice until last night, but did get a chance to practice this morning with the team and are going to be in the starting line ups against the Sharks. Neal will be on the first line with Staalsy and Kennedy. Niskanen will be doing 3rd line Defensive duties with Engelland and Lovejoy with some P.K sprinkled in for good measure.