Pens'/Devils Game Day News and Notes

Here's the latest and greatest on the Penguins roster and injuries:

After examining Hal Gill, the Penguins' team physicians have determined that his left shoulder injury will keep him out 2-4 weeks. Obviously, that is a little more serious than everyone first thought, and losing Gill is another blow to a Penguins' defense that was already missing several guys.

Meanwhile, fellow defenseman Phillipe Boucher returned to practice yesterday. It seems that Boucher sustained a minor concussion when he last played about 10 days ago. He could return this weekend or next week.

As I have indicated, Ryan Whitney and Marc-Andre Fleury are also back practicting with the team. Fleury was believed to have a groin problem. He and Whitney both probably won't return until next week, although there may be an oustide chance Fleury sees action Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Whitney needs more time to get into game shape.

Mike Zigomanis is likely to return later this week from his undisclosed injury. He, too, is taking a little longer to get back in the lineup, but is expected back soon. The Penguins' miss him in the face-off circle, for sure.

The Penguins sent LW Janne Pesonen back down to Wilkes-Barre yesterday. He played only 4 minutes in the last game and does not appear to have the trust or confidence of Penguins' coach Michel Therrein. Perhaps for that reason, rumors are going around that the Penguins' are trying to move him. The Edmonton Oilers are thought to be a team with some interest.

The Boys also recalled Jeff Taffe and Tim Wallace from Wilkes-Barre. Taffe has arguably been the Baby Penguins' best forward this season, with 29 points in 24 games, including 14 goals. The Penguins' might reunite him with his RW for most of the season, Chris Minard, although it's hard for me not to think why the Penguins wouldn't try Minard on one of the top 2 lines just to see how he fits in there. He has a good shot and knows how to get into the scoring areas.

The Wallace recall is hard to make anything out of. Wallace has only 7 points in 21 games and is a minus 2. I'd like to tell you more about him, but I really can't, because he's so far off the Penguins' radar that I don't know anything about him. Maybe the Penguins need extra bodies for practice.

Recap of the Penguins/Devils game tomorrow.