PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist (30) tends net during the third period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 24, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari took his next step in injury rehab on Wednesday, joining the team for the morning skate before the crew departed for Columbus and the team’s second preseason game.
Coach Dan Muse updated Acciari’s status, though not much has changed, only that Acciari is still rehabbing from a core muscle injury suffered a few weeks ago, and is still expected to return late in the preseason.
Acciari’s inclusion will only further muddle the Penguins’ overcrowded forwards battle, which has over 20 candidates for the 13 or 14 roster spots.
Muse also updated the status of young goalie Joel Blomqvist, whom the team termed out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
“He went out to start today, and … yeah, as indicated, he’s day-to-day,” Muse said.
Blomqvist stopped all 11 shots he faced as the starter on Monday in Montreal. He split the game with Sergei Murashov, who finished the second half of the game by stopping 17 of 18, but took the shootout loss.
Forward Joona Koppanen was also injured in the game against Montreal and is day-to-day.
Blomqvist joins a crowded injured listed that also includes first-round pick Bill Zonnon (22nd overall), Koppanen, Rutger McGroarty (upper body), Kevin Hayes, and Tanner Howe.
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