The Penguins had to place another player into protocols for covid-19 on Tuesday but did see three others who were recently in protocols rejoin the team for practice in Cranberry

Rookie forward Drew O’Connor was placed on the NHL’s list for covid-19 protocols after testing positive for the virus on Tuesday morning.

A rookie, O’Connor has played in 20 games this season and has five points (two goals, three assists) while averaging 10 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time per game.

O’Connor and forward Jeff Carter are the only members of the roster currently in the league’s protocols.

Carter was initially placed onto the list on Friday and missed Sunday’s 8-5 home win against the San Jose Sharks.

“(Carter) is feeling much better,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s, right now, day to day. He’s improved a lot over the last few days.”

In 27 games this season, Carter has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) while averaging 18:48 of ice time per contest.

Conversely, the Penguins saw forwards Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen and goaltender Tristan Jarry practice after being removed from protocols.

Blueger, who indicated he was asymptomatic, and Jarry were placed into protocols on Dec. 27 while Kapanen entered one day later. All three missed Sunday’s game as well.

Sullivan labeled the trio as “available” but did not offer any specifics as to their status for Wednesday’s home game against the St. Louis Blues.

Also rejoining the team was forward Brian Boyle who was removed from his non-roster designation after attending to the birth of his son, Callum, on Sunday.

Forward Jason Zucker skated before practice. He is currently on injured reserve due to an undisclosed ailment and has previously been labeled as “week to week.”

Reserve goaltender Louis Domingue was withheld from practice for logistical purposes in order to get Jarry enough repetitions as he works his way back into the lineup.

Domingue, who served as the backup to Casey DeSmith in Sunday’s game, did get some work on the ice before and after practice.

Anthony Angello returns to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

AP Various ailments have limited Penguins forward Anthony Angello to four games and one goal in the AHL this season.  

Reserve forward Anthony Angello was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Recalled to the taxi squad Friday, Angello was promoted to the NHL roster by Sunday and served as a healthy scratch during an 8-5 home win against the San Jose Sharks that same day.

Various maladies have limited Angello to four AHL games and one goal this season.

Teddy Blueger laments lost opportunity in the Olympics

AP In 30 games this season, Penguins forward Teddy Blueger has 12 points (seven goals, five assists).  

There are few national teams with a more fervent following on the international stage than Latvia. While it certainly wasn’t a favorite to medal, just participating in the Olympics is a major accomplishment for the small Baltic state.

So the recent decision between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) to not participate in the upcoming games in Beijing due to covid-19 concerns was disappointing, not only for the fans but the participants.

“For us, Latvia is not in it every year,” said Penguins forward Teddy Blueger, arguably that country’s best NHLer. “It’s disappointing not to go, I think because it is a rare opportunity. But at the same time, you do kind of understand those circumstances that played into that decision. With all the games getting postponed in the NHL and stuff, it did seem like it was heading into that direction leading up to it. So it wasn’t that much of a surprise. Hopefully, things settle down in the future and down the road, we’ll get another opportunity to go.”

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