Penguins forward Jake Guentzel close to returning to lineup

SUNRISE, Fla. — Assistant coach Todd Reirden said something everyone in attendance for the Penguins’ practice — players, staff, reporters — at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday wanted to hear.

To be clear, he didn’t say it.

He bellowed it out through seemingly every bronchus within his lungs.

“NO MORNING SKATE!”

Given the temperate climate of southern Florida, the Penguins typically skip their morning skates in advance of games against the Florida Panthers and get in some workouts (and Vitamin D) at the beach in Fort Lauderdale.

So with the Penguins scheduled to catch some rays on Thursday morning, they put in some serious work during Wednesday’s practice.

The execution was crisp, and the skating was furious.

And the team’s top left wing was just happy to be present for it.

Jake Guentzel, recently released from isolation after testing positive for covid-19 on Oct. 3, expressed a genuine appreciation for just being able to be on the ice with his teammates on Wednesday.

“It’s a big thing for me to make sure I’m ready whenever I can play and just to get back and be like my normal self,” Guentzel said. “Whenever you get to practice with the team, you’ve just got to take advantage of it.”

Guentzel practiced in a way that would suggest he will make his season debut Thursday. He manned the left wing of the top line with Jeff Carter at center and Bryan Rust on the right wing. Additionally, he worked the net-front role on the top power-play unit.

For a team dealing with the absences of franchise centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, potentially adding an All-Star such as Guentzel is certainly welcomed.

“The way he produces offense is pretty impressive, and he’s, obviously, done it for a number of years,” forward Teddy Blueger said. “You can never have enough of that in your lineup. The power play, so good around the net. So smart, a great passer. He’s kind of got all the tools offensively.”

Given that he was asymptomatic, Guentzel got to work out at home within the confines of the NHL’s protocols for the virus.

“I had a bike at my house,” said Guentzel, who also had to isolate himself from his wife. “I was fortunate for that. Got to do that and at least stay as active as much as I can. Tried not to lose much (conditioning) over the (isolation) period.”

Forward Zach Aston-Reese also practiced Wednesday, but his progress from his bout with covid-19 — which the team announced Sept. 27 — is moving along slower.

Having experienced mild symptoms, Aston-Reese was not permitted to work out, even at home, during his isolation and has been working to regain his conditioning since rejoining the team.

“I felt really badly for Zach because I thought his conditioning was really good coming into (training) camp, then he misses 10 days,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “On top of that, he was symptomatic, so it wasn’t like he had the ability to work out at his home throughout that covid protocol. Jake was different. Jake worked out throughout his covid protocol (at home).

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s something that’s out of our control. We just have to react the right way. Zach’s working really hard. Jake’s working really hard. We’ll try to get these guys back in the fold when we think they’re ready and prepared for it.”

Based on Wednesday’s practice, Guentzel certainly seems to be just that.

“I feel good,” Guentzel said. “It was a long couple of days there. Just glad to be back and be around the guys again.”