Penguins proceed with scrimmage while dealing with coronavirus concerns

The Penguins scrimmaged at PPG Paints Arena as planned Sunday evening, a day after they canceled practice due to coronavirus-related concerns.

Saturday’s practice was abruptly canceled in the morning “out of an abundance of caution due to potential exposure of covid-19,” according to a statement from the team.

“The decision to cancel yesterday’s practice was made out of an abundance of caution due to a potential exposure to COVID,” coach Mike Sullivan reiterated during a video conference with media on Sunday. “I know that phrase has been heard a lot these days and it doesn’t necessarily answer your questions but it’s simply the best way to explain it.”

Defensemen Josh Maniscalco, Zach Trotman and forward Sam Miletic did not participate in Sunday’s scrimmage.

Sullivan explained, per NHL rules, the team will not be disclosing any health information - either for injuries or potential coronavirus-related concerns - during the remainder of the camp which concludes on Tuesday.

Once the regular season opens on Wednesday, the NHL - and not individual teams - will announce any players who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Individual teams are still responsible for any other health information such as injuries.

Forwards Zach Aston-Reese, still recuperating from offseason shoulder surgery, and forward Kasperi Kapanen, still quarantining after squaring away an immigration matter, did not participate in the scrimmage either.

The Penguins are one of at least five NHL teams that have had their training camp disrupted in some fashion by coronavirus-related concerns.

On Friday, the Dallas Stars canceled practice after six players as well as two staffers tested positive. With all on-ice activities halted for the time being, their first three games of the regular season have been postponed. Additionally, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings have held players out of practices as precautions.

The Vancouver Canucks cancelled their practice on Sunday as well.

Getting in the game

Team Gold defeated Team Black in the scrimmage, 5-4.

Forwards Sam Lafferty, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker as well as defenseman Kris Letang scored for Team Gold while forwards Sidney Crosby, Mark Jankowski (twice) and defenseman Mike Matheson provided Team Black’s offense.

Aimed at simulating a game environment, the scrimmage included typical pregame activities on and off the ice. With each team wearing full uniforms, there were warmups, complete with typical arena music, public address announcements, fake crowd noise and even the goal horn.

Due a lack of 20 players being available for each squad, the scrimmage’s periods were limited 18 minutes (as opposed to a typical 20 minutes) and involved 15-minute intermissions.

“The closest thing to a game-real scenario that we’re going to have in this camp,” Sullivan said. “The 18-minute periods, I think from a workload standpoint, would mostly simulate what players would get in a 60-minute hockey game.”

“We’re going to try to create a competitive environment,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to have 15-minute intermissions so our players to have to get used to going into the locker room. Their heart rates come down and they’re going to have be prepared to ratchet it up again when the puck drops for that next period. All of these things are things that we’re trying to re-acclimate our players with.”

The Penguins are scheduled to play the first game of the NHL’s entire regular season Wednesday when they travel to face the rival Philadelphia Flyers. That contest is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Kapanen arrives

Sullivan confirmed the Finnish-born forward Kapanen has arrived in Pittsburgh and begun his the NHL-mandated seven-day quarantine. Kapanen has not been able to participate in training camp as he failed to secure a work visa in a timely fashion.

Four go on waivers

Forwards Josh Currie and Frederick Gaudreau as well as defensemen Kevin Czuczman and Trotman were placed on waivers. Should they clear by noon on Monday, they will be eligible to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

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