Phil Kessel underwent surgery on his hand today, reported Sportsnet’s John Shannon. The surgery was needed due to an injury Kessel suffered during the Penguins’ first round match-up with the New York Rangers. Kessel played in all 24 playoff games for the Stanley Cup champions, putting up 22 points and a +5 rating. For a player who’s toughness and heart have been questioned throughout his career, it seems as though a serious hand injury was not enough stop him from being arguably the most important player in Pittsburgh’s Cup run.
More from Pittsburgh:
- GM Jim Rutherford would like to bring back free agents Matt Cullen and Justin Schultz, reports Josh Yohe of DK Pittsburgh Sports. Yohe’s story continues that not only does Rutherford wish they would come back, he actually believes it is possible. As our friends at Roster Resource illustrate, that does not seem to be the case. Not only do the Penguins appear to have a roster that is chock full of NHL contributors without much room for addition, but as currently constituted, Pittsburgh is also over the salary cap limit of $73MM. It would take some creative maneuvering by Rutherford to squeeze in just one of them, nevertheless both. If it was to be just one, the veteran forward Cullen is more likely to take an inexpensive, one-year deal to return to the Penguins, than the young puck-moving defenseman Schultz.
- The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins announced that they have re-signed forward Sahir Gill. They also announced that they have re-signed veteran defenseman Barry Goers, in a somewhat more surprising move, considering the plethora of two-way contracts that the Pittsburgh Penguins have given out this off-season.
- Award-winning hockey broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick is switching sports, but just for one night. NBC’s leading NHL play-by-play announcer will jump over to MLB Network to call tonight’s Pittsburgh Pirates-Chicago Cubs game. Emerick, who got his first chance to cover the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is an avid Pirates fan.