Road to recovery: How the Pens injury situation is looking

Four regular Penguins are on the shelf: the #1 defenseman, last year's leading scorer, the Game 7 Stanley Cup champion hero and the leading goal scorer in 2009-10 when he was hurt.  With such significant contributors down, the thirst for knowledge in their path back to the lineup.  Here's an update on the injured players, since there's been some developments lately. 

(Undisclosed injury, has missed last three games)
--Kennedy is the closest of anyone on the injury path to returning, possibly as soon as tonight.  The team has been pretty good about disclosing specific injuries but has used the vague "day-to-day" and "undisclosed" terms for TK.  But he's skated the past couple of days in practice, including a good skate yesterday, and head coach Dan Bylsma said the chances were "pretty good" that Kennedy will be back as soon as tonight against Anaheim.

(Shoulder strain, has missed last two games, said to be out another 2 weeks, give or take)
--Malkin, who's absence from the lineup was the team's choice and stressed as protective, is on the California road-trip with the team.  He's taken to the ice without skates, and seems to be in good spirits.  Malkin was announced as out for 2-3 weeks almost one week ago, so you do the math.  He ought to be back soon, but it's not in the immediate future.

(broken bone in wrist on October 20th, has missed last five games)
--Gonchar has been able to keep skating to maintain his cardiovascular shape, and his wrist is improving as his involvement in practice has now advanced to "holding his stick with both hands and taking a few light shots".  The original prognosis was 4-6 weeks, and you can't rush a bone healing, so Gonchar's return is still a few weeks out.

Maxime Talbot

#25 / Center / Pittsburgh Penguins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 190

Born: Feb 11, 1984

(off-season shoulder surgery, has missed entire season)
--Talbot took steps to return from his shoulder surgery before suffering an "unrelated" foot injury last week and has not resumed skating.  However, Talbot is travelling with the team and may begin skating again soon on the trip.  He's still probably the furthest away from any of the injured players.  The window for Talbot's return has always been late-November or early December and that still seems to be the case.