Penguins D Gonchar cleared to play

Posted: Wed Feb 11 3:32 PM

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has been cleared to return to the lineup after missing the entire season thus far after shoulder surgery.

While Gonchar is expected to return to play soon, he will not be on the ice for Wednesday's home game against San Jose.

"It's going to be day by day," said Gonchar, who had surgery to repair cartilage and ligament damage in his left shoulder on October 2 after being hurt in the Penguins' first preseason game. "It depends on how I feel. (The doctor) cleared me to play. He said my shoulder was doing well. He's happy with the progress we've made over the last month since the last time I've seen him."

A four-time All-Star, Gonchar was an important factor for the Penguins last season as the team reached the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Red Wings. He recorded 12 goals and 53 assists in 78 games last season to finish second among all defensemen in scoring and added one goal and 13 assists in the playoffs.

The Penguins enter Wednesday's game three points out of the playoffs, but head coach Michel Therrien will not rush the 34-year-old defenseman back into the lineup.

"It's going to be up to Gonch to decide his comeback," said Therrien. "He looks really sharp in practice. No one's going to pressure him to come back. You have to feel comfortable and confident as well."

The 13-year veteran has tallied 185 goals and 430 assists in 904 career games with the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, and Penguins.