The Pittsburgh Penguins might be without Phil Kessel for the start of the 2016-17 season.
Josh Yohe of DKPittsburghSports.com reports Kessel might not be ready for the Penguins season opener on October 13 against the Washington Capitals. Yohe was told by Jim Rutherford that Kessel is still recovering well, but made no guarantees he’d be ready by season’s start. Kessel had hand surgery in July after playing through nearly the entire playoffs with a hand injury.
The Penguins aren't positive Kessel will be ready to start the season because of his hand surgery. Will be close.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) August 29, 2016
There’s only one decision to be made by the Penguins and that’s to let Kessel take as long as needed to recover. Pittsburgh is a well-built team, evident by their Stanley Cup win, and can afford to go without the dynamic forward for a few games. Would it be better to have Kessel in the lineup? Of course. But, sitting him a few games to make sure he’s 100% healthy means he’ll come back in full force instead of potentially re-injuring his hand.
So a small absence from the lineup is the appropriate call, should Kessel need it. Considering how well he performed in the playoffs, making sure Kessel’s good to go when it ultimately matters will be the best option for him and the Penguins.
Poor Pittsburgh fans will be stuck watching Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin until Kessel returns. What a drag!
