Penner on missing the Ducks game, when he’ll be back

Penner after LA Kings practice

When the Kings returned from Europe last month, Matt Greene shared a story about the one thing he never wants to see again…and yes, it had to do with Dustin Penner.

Well, yesterday, it wasn’t quite up to the level of the Greene story – but, Penner was practicing with a yellow jersey on, due to his ‘upper body’ injury.

As Jarret Stoll referred to him – Penner is just a large, bear of a man.  So, that’s a lot of yellow and perhaps too much for the eyes.

He was the last one off the ice. In fact, by the time he made his way to the back, all other players were gone. Yet, as The Killers played on the ipod in the background, we had time for a quick chat…

MM: Any idea when you’ll be back?

DP: Day to day, month to month, to week to week.

MM: That’s about as clear as a middle body injury.

DP: Middle, lower, upper.

MM: Well, I’ll assume you can’t hold a stick right now with the swelling. What has the doctor been telling you?

DP: I haven’t talked to the doctor in a while. But, I think as soon as the swelling goes down, I’ll be able to at least take wrist shots and slap shots. I think slap shots are a ways away. So, when I come back, I don’t think I’ll be 100%. But, I’m looking to finish up this bag skating rather quickly.

MM: Injuries are never fun, but is there any disappointment about the timing of the injury and having to miss both games against Anaheim this week?

DP: It’s been a tough season in a lot of aspects. This is now, I think, my seventh or eighth injury since the beginning of the season. Each season poses its own challenges. I would say it’s also tough talking without a middle tooth, as you can tell. We’re going to get through it all though.

Last year you may recall, Penner told us about the Penner Cup prior to facing off with the Ducks (story here).  Looks like the 2011-12 tournament is going to have to wait a little longer.

We’ll have more Kings-Ducks coverage coming up throughout the day.  In the meantime, there are plenty of related articles linked below.

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