When the time frame associated with Jake Guentzel’s recovery first was announced after he underwent shoulder surgery Dec. 31, it didn’t leave much margin for him to return this season.

With the season pushed back indefinitely, Guentzel’s potential for an impact on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ chase of the 2020 Stanley Cup title suddenly is well within play.

General manager Jim Rutherford expressed optimism Guentzel will be cleared to play well within the initial 4-6 month period that was expected after Guentzel crashed hard into the boards during a Dec. 30 win against the Ottawa Senators.

Now that we know the playoffs won’t begin as scheduled in mid-April and the postseason won’t end in mid-June, if Guentzel’s rehab stays on track, he could be a much more significant factor for the Penguins than initially hoped.

“If you take the shortest (projected time) period (for full rehab), that would be the end of April, and if it’s six months, (it’s late June),” Rutherford said during a conference call Wednesday afternoon. “But I would expect that knowing Jake Guentzel that he’s going to be ready, and his rehab is going well. And he’s at the point now where he’s one of the guys who’s returned home and will continue to rehab on his own.

“But all reports I’ve had is that there has not been any setbacks at this point.”

— Jake Guentzel (@jakenbake20) January 3, 2020

The NHL has been on pause since March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. That has left the final three-plus weeks of regular-season games suspended and perhaps not to be played.

It’s too early to speculate if the NHL season could restart, but several reports indicate the league is willing to extend its postseason deep into the summer or even September if necessary.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

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