Penguins
Jason Zucker Update: ‘Feeling Better,’ Hopes to Return Soon
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jason Zucker appeared to suffer a serious injury last Thursday when he crashed into the boards, and his right leg extended awkwardly. Zucker was in immediate pain and had to be helped off the ice.
The headlines and the situation looked like a small tragedy. Zucker missed the previous 30 games after core muscle surgery and 37 of the previous 38 games.
The good news is–late Sunday night, Jason Zucker posted what seemed to be encouraging news on Instagram.
“Felt great being back on the ice after a long rehab. Not the way I planned for the game to go, but the win made up for it! Thank you for all the well wishes and concern over the last few days. I’m feeling better and hope to be back in the lineup soon.
Thank you to the great Wild fans for the warm welcome back. I will always have fond memories of playing at Xcel Energy Center!”
Including the partial game on Thursday, Zucker has 14 points (6-8-14) in 32 games. He earned an assist one minute into the game on Thursday in Minnesota, where he played for nine seasons before the Penguins acquired him near the 2020 NHL trade deadline. That was Zucker’s first game in Minnesota since the trade.
On Saturday, head coach Mike Sullivan shuffled the Penguins’ lines to deal with Zucker’s absence. Jeff Carter played on the right wing with Evgeni Malkin, and Rickard Rakell played on the left. Teddy Blueger moved up to third-line center and Brian Boyle back to fourth-line center. ‘
On Saturday, Sullivan indicated Zucker was undergoing further evaluation.
According to the roster on the official league media site, Zucker has not been placed on IR, which means he is eligible to play as soon as he’s ready. The Pittsburgh Penguins practice on Monday and host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.
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What part of that comment gives you any indication of his return time?
We didn’t specify a return time. We did note that he has not yet been placed on IR, which itself is encouraging.
One out of town source said Stewart told Sully “groin” when he returned to the bench.
[…] Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jason Zucker appeared to suffer a serious injury last Thursday when he crashed into the boards, and his right leg extended awkwardly. Zucker was in immediate pain and had to be helped off the ice. But based on an Instagram post, it appears that it looked worse than it was. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now) […]
Great news thanks for the pre update! Sounds hopeful as in a few days to a week or so as apposed to 3-8 weeks for a serious groin injury. Personally I would give Kappy a 42nd look on the 2nd line he’s looked good lately. On a side note I hate the Michigan goal and it was a matter of time before someone pounded him. Also I thought Crosby not Lemuix lifted the puck over the net bouncing the puck off the goalies back. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they both did…
[…] It only took one game for Jason Zucker to be re-injured. Updates on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ […]
[…] Jason Zucker “feeling better.” He hopes to return […]
Zucker’s status is year-to-year, according to my Fake News sources.