Pittsburgh Penguins Looking At Roster Changes

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis, who was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung on Nov. 19, said Thursday he has been cleared for full-contact workouts. Dupuis' struggles began before the early-season diagnosis. He tore his ACL/MCL in a game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 23, 2013, and a blood clot formed in his knee. The right wing missed the remainder of that season, treating the clot with blood thinners and rehabbing his leg during the summer. Dupuis, 36, returned to the Penguins for the first 16 games of this season, but the blood clot traveled to his lung. Dupuis said he worked hard to ensure he healed properly. Dupuis was treated with the blood thinners from November until May and was allowed to train during that time, but he could not absorb any physical contact. The Quebec native said he intends to train as he normally would for most of this summer but will spend more time on the ice leading up to training camp to regain his timing and speed. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward had six goals and five assists for 11 points in his 16 games this season. In eight seasons with the Penguins, Dupuis was a frequent linemate of captain Sidney Crosby and scored 20 goals twice. Dupuis missed 109 of the past 125 games for the Penguins.


Pascal Dupuis: "It's exciting. It's a day I've been waiting a long time for. It just feels great. It feels right, the right time. I actually listened to the doctors for a change (laughs). The fact that I listened played a big role in me getting cleared for contact. You know me, I maybe wasn't the easiest one to deal with, but they were awesome throughout. They're way smarter than I am and I have to listen to them. I've missed quite a bit of hockey in the last couple years. I'm a little anxious. It's definitely something I'm looking forward to, but right now I have to take it one step at a time."
Jim Rutherford: "The blood clot has dissolved, and the doctors have recommended a blood-thinner medication that will allow him to play. It's a big step forward for Pascal, and we're all excited for him."

The Penguins might be welcoming back Dupuis, but they have not made a decision about re-signing pending unrestricted free agents Christian Ehrhoff, Maxim Lapierre or Paul Martin, general manager Jim Rutherford told the Tribune-Review on Thursday. Only Craig Adams will not be re-signed, the report said. Multiple reports have said the Penguins would not try to retain defensemen Ehrhoff and Martin, or forward Lapierre. Martin's agent told the Tribune-Review he believed Pittsburgh remains an option when free agency begins July 1.
Martin has played five seasons for the Penguins; the 34-year-old had 20 points (three goals) and was plus-17 in 74 games this season. Ehrhoff, 32, signed a one-year contract as a free agent last offseason; he had 14 points (three goals) and was plus-8, but was limited to 49 games by injury. Lapierre, 30, was acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 27 for forward Marcel Goc. He had two assists and was minus-13 in 35 games with Pittsburgh. The Penguins' season ended with a five-game loss to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference First Round.


Rutherford told the newspaper: "I don't want to cross anybody off the list because you don't know what happens here in the next month."
Ben Hankinson: "No decisions have been made yet on Paul and the Penguins. Not ruling out coming back."