Erik Karlsson Joins Penguins Practice

CRANBERRY, Twp — The Pittsburgh Penguins might get some good injury news soon. For the first time since the days before training camp began, defenseman Erik Karlsson joined practice.

Karlsson was non-contact, according to coach Mike Sullivan.

He resumed skating on Tuesday after several days of off-ice rehab for an upper-body injury suffered before the start of training camp on Sept. 18. Sullivan also said he was confident that Karlsson would be available for the start of the regular season on Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.

Injured forward Blake Lizotte, who suffered a concussion Sunday, was not part of the practice group, which took the ice after the game-day group’s morning skate.

Harrison Brunicke, who was elevated to the top practice group Wednesday, also participated in practice. According to Sullivan, he will be with the team on Thursday in Columbus, but Sullivan indicated he would only take warmups.