After a long month, it appears the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] are close to welcoming one of their best players back to the lineup. For the first time since going on injured reserve Dec. 9, center Evgeni Malkin skated in a full capacity with the team on Tuesday. Malkin, 39, has missed the last 15 games with an upper-body injury, which he clarified was a shoulder injury following practice. His last game came Dec. 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning], when he recorded two goals and three points. Malkin has eight goals and 29 points in 26 games on the season. "It's, like, crazy, because I'm not feeling any pain after game, but next morning, I wake up, and, like, my upper body, it's like I can't move my shoulder," Malkin said. "It's crazy." Adding Malkin back to the lineup should bolster an already-buzzing group that has won five consecutive games since the holiday break [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/takeaways-penguins-roar-back-from-three-goal-deficit-beat-blue-jackets-in-ot]. Prior to some bad injury luck for the Penguins, Malkin was skating on a line with Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha, and they saw a lot of success as a line. Tommy Novak has been centering that second line, where Malkin figures to slot back in. His return might make for some tough lineup decisions, but it's a good problem for the Penguins to have. "I think it was a good step in the right direction having him out there," head coach Dan Muse said. "Full-blown practice, looked good, got another practice day tomorrow... So, we'll continue to have conversations, but it was a good day for him." Malkin said he hopes to play this week, but Muse didn't offer a specific timeline for his return to the lineup. The Penguins next play the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] on Thursday. Takeaways: Penguins Roar Back From Three-Goal Deficit, Beat Blue Jackets In OT [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/03b8d5d1-abc8-4df8-bb3f-7d82d97c7d38.jpeg] Takeaways: Penguins Roar Back From Three-Goal Deficit, Beat Blue Jackets In OT The Pittsburgh Penguins extended their winning streak to five games in dramatic fashion against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which is just another indication that this team may be better than anyone thought. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/takeaways-penguins-roar-back-from-three-goal-deficit-beat-blue-jackets-in-ot] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Unfortunately, another player may have sustained an injury during practice. After a collision with a teammate, forward Rutger McGroarty [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/you-can-never-be-satisfied-in-this-league-mcgroarty-taking-strides-at-nhl-level-with-penguins] left the ice and was attended to by the trainers, and he did not return to practice. Muse could not offer an update on McGroarty after practice. McGroarty has two goals and three points in 16 games this season. 'You Can Never Be Satisfied In This League': McGroarty Taking Strides At NHL Level With Penguins [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/32cce4ae-4759-4d9f-94c6-efbd3b386d85.jpeg] 'You Can Never Be Satisfied In This League': McGroarty Taking Strides At NHL Level With Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Rutger McGroarty is learning every day at the NHL level - and he only figures to get even better with more experience at the highest level of hockey. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/you-can-never-be-satisfied-in-this-league-mcgroarty-taking-strides-at-nhl-level-with-penguins] - Tuesday's practice was optional, as Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Yegor Chinakhov, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang were absent. - A decision looms on rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke, who is headed back to Pittsburgh after helping Canada earn a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship. Brunicke, 19, cannot play in the AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl] this season and has played in nine games at the NHL level, which means his entry-level contract has not been activated. However, another deadline looms, as Jan. 31 would mark 40 games that Brunicke will have been on the active NHL roster. Should Brunicke remain on the roster beyond that game, the Penguins lose a year of restricted free agency, and, therefore, team control. The Penguins are expected to come to a decision in the coming days on whether or not he will spend the rest of the season in the WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/]. NHL Rumors: Penguins Big Winger Makes New Trade Board [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7184f2be-efea-4e82-a957-8dd2403c4f07.jpeg] NHL Rumors: Penguins Big Winger Makes New Trade Board This Penguins forward has been featured on a new trade board. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/nhl-rumors-penguins-big-winger-makes-new-trade-board] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
