Penguins Injury Updates; Lizotte Takes Big Step

CRANBERRY, PA — The Pittsburgh Penguins’ full roster will get some additions sooner rather than later. Coach Mike Sullivan updated a few of the injuries suffered in preseason as the team awaits those players, and future roster decisions await, as well.

Penguins forward Blake Lizotte took the next step in his concussion recovery by skating Wednesday morning before the game. Sullivan clarified that it wasn’t the first time he’d skated, but it was the first elevated session.

Lizotte, 26, suffered a concussion during the Penguins preseason game against the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 29 during the Kraft Hockeyville game in Sudbury. An errant puck hit Lizotte in the head while he sat on the bench on the first shift of the game. He has not joined the Penguins in official practice or morning skate since.

Vasily Ponomarev suffered an upper-body injury early in preseason and has not participated since. He’s expected to be sent to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as soon as he’s activated but remains one of the Penguin’s top prospects and likely call-ups when needed. He, too, skated Wednesday morning.

Matt Nieto, who is recovering from multiple knee surgeries, also joined the group. Nieto signed a two-year, $1.8 million deal in the summer of 2023 but has played only 21 games with the Penguins and not since Nov. 2023. He underwent knee surgery and suffered a setback sometime around last January and remains listed as out month-to-month.

Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic took reps during and after the morning skate and appears to be close to returning. The team listed him as out, week-to-week, after suffering a lower-body injury against the Detroit Red Wings on Sept. 30.