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Penguins Notebook

Penguins News Roundup 3/9/18: Talkin’ Bout Practice

Shelly Anderson is live at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex as the Penguins practice before heading off to Toronto to play the Leafs tomorrow night.

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12:45 p.m.: The guys are headed to Toronto. We (meaning Shelly) will have a … drum roll … Sidney Crosby story for members tonight and for all tomorrow. Think you will like it.

12:35 p.m.: Forward Josh Jooris, recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton because of injuries, met with reporters after practice. Here’s a little Q&A:

Q: What’s your mindset coming in:

JJ: I’m just coming in, trying to help out. It’s just unbelievable. It’s a bunch of great guys. Just excited to get going.

Q: What’s your game”

A: It’s a 200-foot game. A little versatility. I can play center ice or the wing. I just like to bring an energy, make it hard on opposing D-men and just be a smart player, be reliable, be responsible in my own end and try and chip in offensively when I can.

Q: What’s it like coming into this locker room with this talent?

A: I’m not going to lie. It was a little intimidating. I was a little nervous coming in this morning. Meeting some of the guys in this room, their track record speaks for itself. You want to come in here and not step on toes and just kind of go about my business. Guys have made it real easy. I’ve met everyone now. It’s a good group. It’s time to get going.

Coach Mike Sullivan offered this scouting report on Jooris:

“He’s a guy who can play center and can play the wing. He’s a good penalty killer. He has experience in this league. And he’s playing extremely well for them down there.”

12:30 p.m.: Coach Mike Sullivan offered a mixed bag in terms of injury updates. Doesn’t sound as if any of the injured players has a chance to play this weekend:

*Winger Bryan Rust has a concussion. We know that means his recovery timetable is undetermined. “He’s a tough guy to replace,” Sullivan said. “He’s a real versatile player. … I think (filling in for him) will be by committee.”

*Winger Dominik Simon is out week to week.

*Goaltender Matt Murray has begun taking controlled shots and is making progress.

*Winger Zach Aston-Reese is making progress.

11:25 a.m.: Lines! We have lines. Sid and the Kids still together, and Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan, both centers by trade, are on the same line:

Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel

Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist

Sheahan-Brassard-Kessel

Jooris-Rowney-Kuhnhackl

The defense is shifting around more than usual in terms of pairings.

11:15 a.m.: Still no line rushes to show forward combinations or defensive pairings, but we can report that Josh Jooris is on the ice, wearing No. 16 according to his helmet. Jooris, acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline, was called up Thursday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton because of injuries.

11:00 a.m. The Penguins are practicing in Cranberry before they fly to Toronto for a game Saturday night. No Matt Murray, Bryan Rust, Dominik Simon or Zach Aston-Reese, all injured. Also no line rushes yet.