Jeff Carter was spotted at informal Penguins' skate today in full coaching gear
Pittsburgh Penguins players are making their arrival in Pittsburgh this week. With training camp under a week away, informal skates have ensued.
And even if he wasn't wearing a players' uniform, there has been a familiar face on the ice at the UPMC Lemieux Sportsplex in Cranberry, Pa. this week:
As Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports, Jeff Carter was spotted at an informal Penguins' skate Tuesday morning wearing full coaching gear. Fans and media alike were quick to recognize Carter, 39, who officially announced his retirement from the NHL after the conclusion of Pittsburgh's 2023-24 season.
The Penguins have kept Carter in the organizational loop during the offseason following his retirement announcement, even promoting their 2024-25 schedule release by showing Carter in "retirement" getting wind of the schedule announcement:
Since Carter still resides in Pittsburgh - and since the veteran was a revered voice in the Penguins' locker room for parts of three seasons - it would make sense why the organization would want to keep him around somewhere in player development.
Over 19 NHL seasons, Carter - a talented goal-scorer in his prime - registered 442 goals and 851 points through 1,321 NHL games. He was dealt to the Penguins at the 2021 trade deadline and made an immediate impact, scoring 9 goals and 11 points in 14 games and earning himself a three-year contract extension.
It remains to be seen if there will be any official announcement about a coaching gig, but given his appearance on Tuesday, there is likely more in store for Carter and the Penguins.