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Wednesday, 13 October 2010 12:02

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

A couple interesting developments at Penguins practice today.

First, as suspected, Penguins defensemen Zbynek Michalek (shoulder) and Brooks Orpik (groin) will not play tonight against the Maple Leafs. Michalek (right) injured his right shoulder in Monday's game against the Devils when he was hit into the boards by New Jersey forward Rod Pelley.

Orpik missed Monday's game due to a recurring groin ailment.

Their injuries will allow Andrew Hutchinson, recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton yesterday, to make his debut with the NHL Penguins.

Second, Mike Comrie appears to be demoted off the Penguins' top two lines for undisclosed reasons (PG+). Dan Byslma described him as a game-time decision. Despite playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin this season, he has has no points and is a minus-1.

The lines at practice this morning (PG+):

Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
Eric Tangradi - Mark Letestu - Evgeni Malkin
Matt Cooke - Max Talbot - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Comrie - Craig Adams - Mike Rupp/Eric Godard

Given how the Maple Leafs tend to pay a rough and tumble game, it's not impossible to see enforcer Eric Godard get his first action of the season.

Finally for the Penguins, injured forward Jordan Staal (foot) skated with strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar prior to the team's practice (PG+).

Dan Bylsma's post-practice press conference:

For Toronto, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is expected to get his first start of the season.

(Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Comments (6)

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written by eman41, October 13, 2010 - 02:54 PM

If Colton Orr is in the lineup, Godard is in for sure.

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written by espo33, October 13, 2010 - 03:27 PM

If Godard can't get in the lineup against Tor then they should just try to trade or send him down now...

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written by espo33, October 13, 2010 - 04:07 PM

And this team needs Comrie to start scoring or getting points. I just don't see Tangs and Letestu getting 70 points this year.

Well they actually need Kunitz to do something also. He is basically an unmovable contract right now making $3.75M and really hasn't scored since coming over.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, October 13, 2010 - 05:23 PM

I like Sid playing with Kunitz, or Sid playing with Dupuis, but not Sid playing with Kunitz and Dupuis. Both are good forecheckers, physical and have speed, but neither are natural scorers. It is like Mario playing with Bob Errey and well, Bob Errey.
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Is three games really enough to decide that Comrie isn't good enough to be on the top two lines? Michel Oulette got like, a year and a half.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, October 13, 2010 - 05:37 PM

Get this: Ouellet is playing with the Hamburg Freezers. That's McHilarious.

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written by Bones, October 13, 2010 - 07:22 PM

I agree that 3 games is too small a sample to dump Comrie from the top six. Most likely a message is being sent.

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