WASHINGTON -- Jared McCann was on the ice for Thursday's optional morning skate in a regular jersey, the first time he's skated with the team not in a non-contact jersey since he was injured on Feb. 6.
Mike Sullivan confirmed after the skate that McCann has been cleared for contact, but will not play today.
With Jason Zucker receiving the "longer-term" designation with a lower-body injury, that could give McCann an opportunity in the top-six when he's able to play.
Sullivan said that ideally, that winger on Evgeni Malkin's line would have a "conscientious, two-way game that has some defensive capability, but also a guy that has the willingness to go to the net."
Sullivan was asked what he thought McCann could bring to the top six if he does get an opportunity in that spot.
"He has good offensive instincts, he can shoot the puck, he has the ability to finish," Sullivan said of McCann's game. "He brings a ton of speed to any line that he plays on, so he's a versatile player for us. He can play center, he can play the wing. When he is cleared to play, we'll try to put him in the best possible position to create the balance that we're looking for and give us the best chance to win."
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Taxi squad players Emil Larmi, Josh Currie, and Jordy Bellerive again joined the group.
After the skate the Penguins recalled Currie from the taxi squad to the active roster. Anthony Angello was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to the taxi squad to replace Currie.
"I pride myself in a full 200-foot game," Currie said of his game during Wilkes-Barre's training camp. "I try to contribute in both ends, in the offensive and defensive zones. I like to work hard. My work-ethic is kind of what's gotten me where I am today. And I enjoy being on the power play, like most players do. That's definitely one of my favorite areas. I'm just going to be a hard-working player day-in and day-out, and I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether that's in faceoffs, penalty kill, PP, I'm just willing to do whatever it takes and lead by my work ethic."
You can read more about Currie here.
• Defenseman Mark Friedman is expected to be available tonight after being claimed off waivers from Philadelphia on Wednesday.
"(Ron Hextall) is obviously the most familiar with him," Sullivan said. "He drafted him. He really likes his game. He's a good, young player, skates well. A good, puck-moving defenseman. And he has a little bite to his game, he has a little edge and physicality to his game as well. So he's a guy that's just another young defenseman that we think we can add to the complement of young defensemen that we have here, that gives us an opportunity to be competitive both in the short-term and the long-term. I think that was the motivation to claim him."
• Tristan Jarry will start in net.
