Penguins Recent PTO Defenseman Out "Long Term" With Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp has been a rollercoaster of fortunes for players on professional tryout contracts (PTOs). Mark Pysyk, eager to resurrect his NHL career after a season-long absence due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, faced a significant setback with a new "longer-term" lower-body injury. Mike Sullivan said it's unfortunate to see Mark Pysyk, here on a PTO, out longer-term with a lower-body injury. 'We were really looking forward to watching Mark throughout the exhibition season, getting him into some games, and seeing where he might potentially fit on our team."— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 26, 2023 Coach Mike Sullivan had expressed hope in Pysyk's potential contributions, but this injury casts doubt on his comeback attempt. It's a stark reminder of the uncertainty PTO players face as they aim to secure NHL contracts.Over his 10-year career, Pysyk has scored 28 goals and 104 points over 521 games played, along with a -18 plus/minus rating.Conversely, Colin White, unable to secure an NHL contract in a tight salary cap environment, has emerged as a bright spot in camp. Per Mike Sullivan, Mark Pysyk will be out "longer term" due to an undisclosed injury. A tough break for a guy on a PTO trying to comeback from missing all of 2022-23 due to an Achilles tendon injury.— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) September 26, 2023 His versatility, size, skating ability, and impressive playoff performance with the Florida Panthers have caught the coaching staff's attention. Despite limited openings in the bottom-six, White's strong showing may earn him a coveted spot on the roster. As the fates of these PTO players fluctuate, their journeys underscore the unpredictable nature of pursuing an NHL contract during training camp.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports...
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
