Training Camp Buzz: Crosby skates before Penguins practice

Welcome to the Training Camp Buzz. The 24 teams who will be competing for the Stanley Cup began training camp at their facilities July 13. The teams are scheduled to head to their respective hub cities (Toronto for the 12 Eastern Conference teams, Edmonton for the 12 Western Conference teams), on July 26, with the Stanley Cup Qualifiers set to begin Aug. 1.

Here's a look around the League at the latest from training camp:

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby skated on his own before the Penguins practiced Wednesday but did not take part in the team workout.

The center was on the ice about 30 minutes before practice was scheduled to begin. It was his first time skating since leaving a scrimmage Saturday for undisclosed reasons. He missed practice Sunday and a scrimmage Monday. The Penguins were off Tuesday.

As part of the NHL Return to Play Plan, a team is not permitted to disclose player injury or illness information.

Crosby scored 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 41 games before the season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He was injured Nov. 9, had core muscle surgery Nov. 14, and missed 28 games before returning to score four points (one goal, three assists) in a 7-3 win against the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 14.

The Penguins will play the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifier series in Toronto, the Eastern Conference hub city, beginning Aug. 1.

Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie Carter Hart did not practice with the Flyers after leaving a scrimmage Tuesday during the first period for an undisclosed reason.

If healthy, Hart is expected to be the No. 1 goalie for the start of the Qualifiers. Philadelphia will play in the round-robin against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals to determine seeding in the Eastern Conference for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Flyers' first game is against the Bruins in Toronto on Aug. 2.

"Carter, the way he played throughout the year, the way he improved throughout the season, has earned the right to start in the playoffs," coach Alain Vigneault said Wednesday.

Hart was 24-13-3 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 43 games (40 starts). -- Adam Kimelman

Vegas Golden Knights

Max Pacioretty was deemed "unfit to participate" for the second consecutive practice, but the forward is expected to rejoin the Golden Knights before training camp concludes this week.

"I told you guys a couple of days ago [it wasn't a positive COVID-19 test], and it still isn't that," coach Peter DeBoer said. "He's dealing with a minor issue. I anticipate he'll be on the ice with us here before we leave for Edmonton (on Sunday)."

Nick Cousins has taken Pacioretty's place as first-line left wing, skating with center William Karlsson and forward Mark Stone.

Pacioretty was listed as week to week with a lower-body injury prior to the season being paused. In his second season with the Golden Knights, he led them in goals (32) and points (66).

The Golden Knights will play the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues in the round-robin portion of the Qualifiers to determine seeding in the Western Conference for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Golden Knights' first game is Aug. 3 against the Stars in Edmonton, the hub city for the West. -- Danny Webster

Nashville Predators

Kyle Turris is hoping to contribute for the Predators in their qualifier series against the Arizona Coyotes.

The left wing scored two goals in the first full scrimmage of training camp Wednesday.

"It feels great," Turris said. "I'm just trying to gain chemistry, get comfortable, grow and be ready."

Turris talked with coach John Hynes during the pause regarding his offensive production. He scored nine goals and 31 points in 62 games this season but his 88 shots on goal were the second-lowest total in 11 seasons when he's played at least 40 games.

"[Hynes] wants everybody to be their best individual player since that helps the team be at its best," Turris said. "I met and talked with him over the break and am trying to work on things, get better as a player."

Hynes was glad to see Turris shooting the puck and getting rewarded in the scrimmage.

"He's a shoot-first type of player; that's when he's playing his best hockey," Hynes said. "He's a high percentage shooter over the course of his career, so we need to make sure he gets back to that foundation. It was nice to see him shooting with purpose."

The Predators and Coyotes will play the first game of their qualifier series in Edmonton on Aug. 2.-- Mike G. Morreale

Vancouver Canucks

Jacob Markstrom said he's fully recovered from knee surgery and motivated to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his 10 NHL seasons.

"I'm doing fantastic," the goalie said Tuesday. "I get to hang out and practice with a great group of guys every day. I'm healthy. I'm happy. The only pressure I feel is from myself and the goals I set for myself."

The Canucks play the Minnesota Wild in a best-of-5 qualifier series in Edmonton beginning Aug. 2.

Markstrom went 23-16-4 with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 43 games and played in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time this season. He was injured Feb. 22 and had surgery four days later, missing the Canucks' final eight games before the season was paused.

"I cannot wait; I've been waiting a long time," Markstrom said. "I was backing up [with the Florida Panthers in 2011-12] and we were in the playoffs. I love playoff hockey even though I haven't been a part of it. Aug. 2 can't come quick enough for me."

Right wing Brock Boeser said Markstrom arguably is the Canucks' most-important player.

"I think we all know that [Markstrom] is a gamer and a difference-maker," Boeser said. "You see it; in games when he makes a big save, he gets the boys up. ... We just have to continue to help him out in the [defensive] zone and be good for him."-- Pete Jensen

Carolina Hurricanes

Brett Pesce won't play against the New York Rangers in the Qualifiers, and the Hurricanes are unsure if the defenseman would be able to return for the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they were to advance.

"He's on track for what is supposed to happen, but he's still a ways away," coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "If we were fortunate enough to get past [the Rangers], I don't even know if he would be ready to go for the next [series]. There's a lot of factors you have to weigh out."

Pesce, who had surgery on his right shoulder March 5 after he was injured against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 22, was expected to need 4-6 months to recover.

The Hurricanes have eight other defensemen on the roster after trading for Sami Vatanen (New Jersey Devils) and Brady Skjei (Rangers) on Feb. 24.

Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who broke his fibula against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 16, is expected to be ready for the Qualifiers.

"We've got to make the right decision based on the health and the long term," Brind'Amour said. "For me, that's what the issue is, not whether we have eight healthy defensemen. If he was healthy, he would be in the mix for sure."

Pesce scored 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 61 games this season.-- Kurt Dusterberg