Injured Penguins forward Jake Guentzel could play in season opener

The odds that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel will be able to open the season in his team’s lineup improved greatly Sunday as coach Mike Sullivan offered an optimistic forecast for the All-Star left winger, who is still recovering from offseason surgery to his right ankle.

“Right now, his status is day to day,” Sullivan said after practice Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. “He’ll more than likely be a game-time decision. We’ll see how he’ll get through the next couple of days. But, obviously, he’s practicing in full capacity. He was heavily involved in the (power-play drills) today. He’s an important player for us. We’re real encouraged by his progress.”

On Sunday, that progress manifested itself in the form of Guentzel skating on the top power-play unit along with forwards Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson.

There are few, if any, signs he is still dealing with any impediments from his injury. In August, president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas suggested Guentzel would miss the first five games of the regular season. On Sunday, Guentzel was vague in offering any details on his recovery.

“No, nothing yet,” Guentzel said. “Still early to tell. Nice to be back in the full sense, power play and all that stuff. It’s nice to get some reps. Still don’t know.”

Guentzel did stress there is no need to rush a return.

“Just got to be smart with myself and make sure I’m 100% comfortable out there,” Guentzel said. “We’ll see what it takes. We’ve got to talk to the doctors and stuff still. We’ll see what happens.”

The Penguins are scheduled to open the regular season with a home contest against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Five waived

With the NHL’s deadline to submit a season-opening roster approaching Monday at 5 p.m., the Penguins took some of their final steps toward that endeavor by waiving five players.

Forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Colin White, Radim Zohorna, defenseman Mark Friedman and goaltender Magnus Hellberg were waived. Should they clear by 2 p.m. on Monday, they will be free to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Zohorna is the most notable name of the quintet given that he had a productive preseason. In four games, the left-hander scored three points (one goal, two assists) and had 10 shots.

The 27-year-old is signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. Initially joining the Penguins in March 2021 as an undrafted free agent signing, the native of Czechia was waived by the Penguins in October 2022 and wound up being claimed by the Calgary Flames.

Hinostroza, 29, is signed to a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of ($775,000). In four games this preseason, Hinostroza, a right-hander, has one assist and eight shots.

White, 26, attended the team’s training camp on a professional tryout contract then signed a one-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000 on Saturday. In four games this preseason, White, a right-handed shot, had no points and eight shots.

Friedman, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000. A right-handed shot who also can play the left side of a defensive pairing, Friedman has appeared in three games this preseason with no points and three shots. He has been a member of the Penguins since being claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers in February 2021.

Hellberg, 32, is signed to a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $785,000. The left-catching goaltender played in one game this preseason, making 16 saves on 19 shots. Last season, Hellberg went through waiver on three occasions and was a member of three teams: the Ottawa Senators, Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings.

All four players were absent from Sunday’s practice. So, too, were forward Austin Wagner and defenseman Libor Hajek. Both players attended training camp on professional tryout contracts. It is believed Hajek already has left the team.

Sullivan did not provide any updates on their statuses but suggested there would be clarity on that matter by Monday.

Pickering skates

Defenseman Owen Pickering, a first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2022, participated in Sunday’s practice. It marked the first time he has been on the ice in a full practice session since taking part in a prospect development camp in July.

An undisclosed injury he suffered while training in July has kept him sidelined through the team’s participation in a prospect showcase event in Buffalo, N.Y., during September as well as the ensuing training camp.

“Been skating for a little bit,” said Pickering, who has worked with reserve players during the late stages of training camp. “Just kind of working through it. It’s a lot of fun to be out there with these guys. It’s been a cool experience.”

Pickering is expected to be assigned to his junior team, the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, on Monday. He is the captain of that team.