Penguins Practice: Rakell ‘Just a Little Nicked Up,’ Leaves Workout
CRANBERRY — First-line left winger Rickard Rakell, who leads the Pittsburgh Penguins with 22 goals, left their practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex early today.
Rakell went to the locker room after appearing to injure his right hand. He was examined by athletic trainer Kevin Elliott when he left the ice.
Coach Mike Sullivan subsequently downplayed the significance of Rakell’s departure.
He said Rakell was “just a little nicked up” and that “we don’t anticipate it being any issue.”
Rakell’s place in drills was assumed by blue-collar winger Matt Nieto.
Blomqvist technicalities
Goalie Joel Blomqvist, who will take over Tristan Jarry’s spot on the major-league roster later today, did not take part in the workout.
That doesn’t mean the Penguins have had a change in plans, simply that their 23-man roster is full and an opening won’t be created until Jarry’s waivers expire at 2 p.m.
With Blomqvist unavailable, longtime EBUG Mike Chiasson joined Alex Nedeljkovic as the goalies in today’s practice.
Although he technically was not part of the team yet, Blomqvist was present at the Penguins’ practice facility and had an individual workout after the team session.
A team spokesman said Blomqvist was unavailable to speak with reporters because he hadn’t officially been recalled yet.
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This decision on Dubas’s part is stupid. It was definitely the wrong decision.
Wow what an in depth comment
Keep that in depth analysis coming. . .
Yes it was stupid that he didn’t do it sooner
Agreed, also stupid that he was signed to that contract to begin with. He never earned it or proved himself. He may have had the chance of becoming a solid goalie at one point but you don’t sign someone for 5 years at over 5 mil because they “might” eventually be good.
Exactly! I was so disappointed when they re-signed Jarry for 5 YEARS. Unfortunately, it’s turned out even worse than I thought it would.
I’d agree if all the early goal were from breakaways, one timers from a cross ice ass, back door tap-ins and the like, but too many were bad goals. I think the problem is in his head. The more it happened, the more people talked about it and the more pressure he put on himself. The goalie is the one player on the team where a bad game can’t be hidden. A forward or defenseman has a bad game and the other teammates, INCLUDING THE GOALIE can pick up the slack. Goalies don’t have that luxury and need incredible mental… Read more »
Big 2022 draft news right here