Perhaps this was a factor in the decision to keep Phil Kessel off the Team USA entry in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford spoke to the local Pittsburgh media Monday and updated them on Kessel’s condition. The star forward, who made a strong case for the Conn Smythe last season, had hand surgery on July 8 and it’s not yet clear if he’ll be ready to start the season on time.
“At this point, based on where he’s tracking, yes (Kessel would start the season),” Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But with surgery like that, you can’t say 100 per cent for sure. Even if it’s not for the start of the season, it wouldn’t be that much time.”
The surgery was done to fix a lingering issue that Kessel was dealing with throughout last season. He still managed to score 26 goals and added another 10 in 24 playoff games.
Pittsburgh’s first game of the season is Oct. 13 at home against the Washington Capitals.