Evgeni Malkin will not play Saturday when the Penguins host the Nashville Predators. Coach Dan Muse confirmed the core player missed practice Friday due to illness and despite skating Saturday, Malkin would be out.
The Penguins made a corresponding move that might add a little youthful energy to their lineup by recalling the scrappy Avery Hayes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Hayes, 24, played in 16 NHL games last season, scoring five goals, including a pair of multi-goal games. The formerly undrafted free agent has risen through the ranks of the Penguins organization and was off to a strong start with WBS, scoring five goals with nine points in six games.
Penguins Injuries
Sam Girard skated again Saturday morning as part of the optional morning skate. He remains on injured reserve. Also, forward Justin Brazeau skated with the team for the first time since suffering an injury in training camp. Brazeau has missed all 11 games this season. Muse confirmed each took a step forward in their recoveries, but did not provide any timetables for return.
Penguins forward Egor Chinakhov will also remain out. He is day-to-day and not on IR.