Penguins forward Carl Hagelin produced three goals and seven points in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Washington Capitals a season ago. His blinding speed was blindingly obvious. The HBK line, with Hagelin on left wing, was a consistent threat.
Until Monday, having Hagelin back to face the Capitals did not appear likely, but that changed when coach Mike Sullivan said after practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex that Hagelin has skated the past two days. Sullivan added he was "hopeful" Hagelin could return soon.
"He's getting closer," Sullivan said. "He skated (Monday). He skated yesterday on his own. He's making progress. We're hopeful we're going to get him soon. It's one of those injuries that's going to be a day-to-day thing. I can't say for sure, but certainly we're hopeful."
Hagelin had been skating in the early sessions before practices or morning skates, occasionally alongside other players returning from injury such as fellow forward Chris Kunitz or defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.
But Hagelin had broken off when the Penguins traveled to Columbus for Games 3-4 of their first-round playoff series and never appeared with the injured group again.
Hagelin has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury March 10 at Edmonton. In 61 games during the regular season, he had six goals and 22 points.
The point production is one thing, but the Penguins had the success they did against the Capitals in the playoffs last season in large part because of their speed.
There's nobody faster on their team than Hagelin. But as Sullivan has routinely said, it's not simply about how fast a player moves his skates; it's also how quickly he thinks.
Until Hagelin gets back, Sullivan is hoping that part of the Penguins' identity remains.
"Whether we have him or we don't, we believe we have a speed team," Sullivan said. "He obviously increases our speed because of what he brings to our team. We've got plenty of speed throughout our lineup. That's obviously part of the fabric of this team's identity and its competitive advantage. We're trying to play to that."
