No Karlsson at Penguins Practice; Harkins Chops Mullet

LAS VEGAS — The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled defenseman Ryan Shea after demoting forward Radim Zohorna on Wednesday, and they may need him.

Top defenseman Erik Karlsson was absent from practice at T-Mobile Arena Friday. The Penguins last practiced Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Complex in Cranberry and had Thursday off.

PHN will update the story after coach Mike Sullivan addresses the media following practice. PHN will also update the line combinations later in practice. 

In case you missed it, Sullivan missed practice on Wednesday to be in Boston, welcoming the birth of his first grandchild.

Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel seems to have avoided injury after being hurt late in the Monday game against the Seattle Kraken. Shea is the extra defenseman. Forward Colin White also appears to be in the lineup as the Penguins’ 12th forward. With Zohorna’s demotion, the team has no extra forwards.

Also, of absolutely no consequence but curiosity, forward Jansen Harkins got a haircut. Gone is the mullet.

The Penguins face the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.