Update on Jordan Staal

The morning after Jordan Staal injured a tendon on his toe during Game 1 Friday night, a media frenzy ensued. Some reporters at TSN initially broke the story that he was out for the rest of the playoffs, and panic struck across the Pens fanbase. Later that morning, however, some of TSNs more educated reporters including Bob McKenzie said that this may not have been the case and encouraged everyone to wait for the statement of Dan Bylsma. Bylsma gave the official injury as a torn tendon, and put Staal on the Day to Day list. Since then, Staal has undergone successful surgery to repair the tendon and has began skating again. He participated in a brief skate Tuesday morning and Wednesday he participated in a full equipment optional practice at the Bell Centre. This clearly shows improvement, and he said that it was not getting any worse while skating. Bylsma has yet to release a time for his return, but I imagine that it will be sometime in the next few games (probably 5 or 6). This was an amazing recovery, but it was about normal for Staal. Staal is not only one of the toughest players on his team but in the entire NHL. I wish Staal the quickest and most effective recovery, and cannot wait until he is back on the ice for the black and gold.

Also, as for the Pens' other major injury, hardly any information has been released on the condition of Billy Guerin. Bylsma did say, however, that there is a chance he may participate in Thursday's morning practice. Guerin was scratched as part of a game time decision in which he came out for warmups but never saw action during the actual game.