Penguins reserve defenseman Zach Trotman is not expected to participate in the NHL’s postseason tournament later this summer according to general manager Jim Rutherford.
Specifics were not provided. The Penguins are scheduled to open training camp in Cranberry then join the other 11 Eastern Conference teams that qualified for the postseason in a quarantined portion of Toronto this August.
The NHL has been on hiatus since March 12 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“We don’t get into injuries but it’s something that he’s trying to work through that could flare when we get into the ‘bubble,’” Rutherford said during a conference call with local reporters on Saturday. “And we didn’t want to take that chance.”
Throughout the 2019-20 season, Trotman, 29, has battled various injuries ranging from a sports hernia in September during training camp to a concussion he suffered in December. In eight NHL games this season, he has no points. He has spent the majority of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 27 AHL games, he has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists).
Forwards Nick Bjugstad (back) and Dominik Simon (shoulder) each underwent surgery during the hiatus and will not participate as well.
Additionally, Rutherford, 71, indicated he would not travel with the team to Toronto for the initial stages of the tournament. The Eastern Conference teams will compete in Toronto for the qualifying, round robin, first and second rounds. Edmonton will host the Western Conference teams as well as the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.
All teams in the tournament must submit a list of of no more than 52 people (players, coaches and other team employees) who will be traveling to the quarantined zones in Toronto and Edmonton.
