Penguins Could Miss Jason Zucker 'Longer Term'

It's been a bit of an uneven start for the Pittsburgh Penguins, so they don't really need any bad news. But they got some anyway.

Coach Mike Sullivan informed reporters that forward Jason Zucker will be out "longer term" with a lower-body injury suffered in Tuesday's overtime win over the Washington Capitals.

Zucker became injured after clipping skates with Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen and immediately falling awkwardly into the boards.

Zucker, 29, has been just so-so this season, but he still has seven points in 17 games. His injury will surely leave a pretty big hole at the position. On the bright side, Sullivan said the Penguins (10-6-1) could get center Jared McCann back soon. McCann also recently suffered an injury to his lower body -- but he took part in the contact portion of practice Thursday.

"If Zucker is out long-term, it also may give the Penguins some cap flexibility to make an addition," wrote Gavin Lee of Pro Hockey Rumors. "The team is already in LTIR with some of their other injuries, and Zucker can be added to that group whenever necessary."