1. Hornqvist extension close
The Pens and winger Patric Hornqvist are on the cusp of signing a multi-year contract extension. If everything goes as planned, the deal should be official Tuesday.
"Over my career I've done very few contracts during the season," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "This shows what the organization and I think of Patric to get it done sooner than later. I felt it was important that he knows and we know that he's going to be here going forward."
2. All quiet on the Eastern Front
Rutherford was quiet as the NHL's annual trade deadline came and went. The only deal - a minor-league transaction - was acquiring Josh Jooris from Carolina for Greg McKegg. Jooris has already been assigned to WBS.
"A little more insurance, a little more depth at center ice," Rutherford said of Jooris.
The Pens had conversations with other teams regarding many different players, but no deals were struck.
"I wouldn't suggest it was a day that we were just sitting there and not in on some things," Rutherford said. "The way it unfolded and prices that were being paid for players and the players that we were interested in, it didn't get to the point where it made sense to make a deal."
Rutherford did not pull the trigger on a deal for a defenseman, though he did have negotiations with teams. He noted that it's a partial vote of confidence to the current seven blueliners on the team's roster.
"We felt confident in our seven guys and a few guys that we have in Wilkes-Barre," Rutherford said. "I don't want to suggest we didn't talk to teams about defensemen today, but it was more for depth and insurance.
"As a group we feel we have a real strong team. Ready to compete."
3. Practice notes
Goalie Matt Murray left practice early. He was evaluated by team doctors and will evaluated again on Tuesday, per Rutherford.
Meanwhile, forward Tom Kuhnhackl participated in full contact at practice for the first time. He's been out of the lineup with a lower-body injury (8 games missed).
"Feel really good," he said. "Was nice to get back out there with the team and I'll take it day-by-day. See how it reacts tomorrow, but I felt pretty good out there."
The coaching staff like what they saw in Kuhnhackl.
"I thought he looked fine. He looked strong," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "We'll see how he does and then we'll make decisions accordingly."
Center Derick Brassard has yet to arrive in Pittsburgh. He is currently skating and training in Toronto awaiting immigration papers, but the team is hopeful he'll get to the city either today or Tuesday.
Winger Phil Kessel (maintenance day) was the only missing regular from the practice session.
The Pens used the following workflow…
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Simon-Sheahan-Sheary
Aston-Reese-Rowney-Kuhnhackl
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Oleksiak
