Training Camp Buzz: Crosby, Guentzel won't play in Penguins opener

Welcome to the 2021-22 NHL training camp buzz. With training camps open for all 32 teams, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel will not play for the Penguins when they open the regular season at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).
Crosby was a full participant in practice Monday after joining the Penguins for a morning skate Saturday. The center is not expected to play at least the first two games of the regular season after having wrist surgery Sept. 8, coach Mike Sullivan said.
Guentzel, usually the first-line left wing, returned to practice Monday after being removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol. He had been absent since being placed in protocol before a preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 3.
Sullivan said Guentzel and forward Zach Aston-Reese, who was removed from protocol Saturday, would not play Tuesday.
"From there, we'll see how Zach and Jake progress coming off the COVID protocol stuff," Sullivan said.
Pittsburgh is also without second-line center Evgeni Malkin, who is expected to be out at least the first two months of the regular season after having knee surgery June 4.
Crosby and Guentzel did not take line rushes Monday. Jeff Carter was in Crosby's spot at first-line center with Danton Heinen at left wing.
"We've still got an amazing group," forward Kasperi Kapanen said. "It's going to be a tough start, but I think our group's up for it." -- Wes Crosby

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ilya Mikheyev is expected to be out eight weeks because of a broken thumb that will require surgery.
The 27-year-old forward left in the first period of a 4-1 preseason victory against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and did not return for the second. He was replaced by Michael Bunting on the wing with John Tavares and William Nylander.
"It's a big loss for us," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keeffe said, "It's very unfortunate for Ilya, who was having an excellent camp for us and was poised to have a big season. But he was back in the gym here today with the guys training and doing what he can to make sure he stays ready.
"I have no doubts in terms of his work ethic, the work he puts in on the ice and the gym, he'll be able to skate before too long because of the nature of the injury. We'll miss him when he's gone but I know he'll work very hard to make sure he's ready."
The Maple Leafs also announced Monday that center Auston Matthews will be out for at the least the first three games of the season. Matthews had wrist surgery Aug. 13.
The Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).-- Mike Zeisberger

New York Rangers

Ryan Reaves could be ready for the season opener at the Washington Capitals on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT).
The forward practiced wearing a red, no-contact jersey Monday, five days after leaving a 6-2 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury.
"Obviously him being out there and skating the full practice like he did, I would expect it, but it's still day to day, so we want to see how he gets along after today," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. "But I feel real good about the way he skated."
Forwards Ryan Strome and Kevin Rooney each practiced in a regular jersey. Strome was injured after colliding with New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield in a preseason game Oct. 9. Rooney left with an apparent injury in the third following an altercation with Islanders forward Ross Johnston.
"No issues today," Gallant said. "Unless the trainers tell me something different, we'll just go on like they're ready to play."
Strome was one of six Rangers named an alternate captain with forwards Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Barclay Goodrow, and defenseman Jacob Trouba. General manager Chris Drury said before training camp that the expectation was to name the 28th captain in Rangers history and first since Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26, 2018.
Gallant said he had subsequent discussions with Drury, the coaching staff and the players, and all agreed to start the season without a captain.
"That's what I feel very comfortable with our group," Gallant said. "They're all good leaders and I just feel very strongly with this group and me being with them for only a month that we're taking the best direction and that's going to help our team the most." -- Jon Lane

Seattle Kraken

Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak and forwards Jared McCann, Marcus Johansson and Joonas Donskoi were placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol, coach Dave Hakstol said Monday. They join forward Calle Jarnkrok, who was placed in protocol Friday.
Forward Yanni Gourde (offseason shoulder surgery) skated and is day to day. Hakstol also said forward Colin Blackwell is out indefinitely.
Hakstol said the Kraken are working toward having enough players when they open their inaugural season at the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).
"Things happen quickly and sometimes at inopportune times," he said. "There are different challenges as you go throughout the season and this is one for us early on, so we have some decisions to make through the day. We'll do that, and we'll be ready to play as we get into Vegas tonight and ready to go tomorrow." -- Tracey Myers

Detroit Red Wings

Bobby Ryan was released from his professional tryout (PTO) with the Red Wings on Monday.
The 34-year-old forward scored four points (two goals, two assists) in six preseason games.
"We made the decision that was the best thing for us going forward," coach Jeff Blashill said. "I wish Bobby a ton of luck going forward, because he's a great person and a real good player. It was a tough call, but this what we think is best for us."
Ryan scored 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 33 games for the Red Wings last season.
Detroit opens the season at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; BSSUN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).

Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser will miss the season opener at the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday (10 p.m. PT; SN), placed on injured reserve Monday because of an undisclosed injury.
Boeser has resumed skating on his own, but the forward hasn't practiced with the team since Sept. 29. He led the Canucks in goals (23) and points (49) in 56 games last season.
General manager Jim Benning said defenseman Travis Hamonic will start the season with Abbotsford of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers Monday. He missed training camp and the preseason for personal reasons. -- Kevin Woodley