What Jordan Staal's Setbacks Mean for the Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Penguins center Jordan Staal is experiencing setbacks with his foot, injured in game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens.

Staal was diagnosed with a lacerated tendon after Montreal Canadiens call-up P.K. Subban landed the blade of his skate into Staal's foot.

Staal did not return for the rest of the game after registering eight minutes of ice time, but returned to action in Game Five and for the remainder of the series.

Staal's heroic return, as it was considered at the time, drew concern that playing on such a distressed foot would not do him any good in the long run.

As always, the good of the team came first and Staal, the ironman of the Pens, seemed more than happy to put up with the pain in order to help carry the Pens into the Eastern Conference Finals.

Unfortunately, the glorious comeback was all for naught, especially now that Staal is experiencing setbacks that may push his return until later in the season.

So what does this mean for the Pens?

It goes without saying that losing Staal will hurt the team, but fortunately for all, no Staal for the first half of the season will not hurt the team in the long run.

A hasty return from Staal sure would, however.

It's no secret that Staal was rumored to have been upgraded from third line center to second line center; an attempt to reward Staal for his spectacular recent play, help Evgeni Malkin return to his MVP stride, and fill in the holes that remained in the wing position.

With Staal out of the lineup, things are obviously going to change.

For one, Malkin will most likely start the season at second line center where he ended the season.

I now see Max Talbot taking the spot of the third line center. Not only does he have a good defensive side to his game, but he is also seeking redemption after a poor season plagued by injury.

With the recent acquisition of ex-Philadelphia Flyer Arron Asham and the loss of Bill Guerin, the remaining line arrangements outside of the first line become a little tricky.

Asham is typically a third or fourth line winger.

Does he get placed in the third line sending either Matt Cooke or Tyler Kennedy to the second line? Or does he get placed on the fourth line, which would probably send enforcer Eric Godard to the press box until he is needed?

With Staal most likely not starting the season and Guerin gone, this is a good opportunity for a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin to impress the fans and the coaches.

Without a doubt someone from the AHL affiliate will make the roster on opening night. Top choices will include Chris Conner, Eric Tangradi, and Mark Letestu, Tangradi with the obvious edge over the rest.

With my current knowledge of the team, here's my best guess of the offensive starting lineup against the Flyers:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis

Tangradi-Malkin-Kennedy

Cooke-Talbot-Asham

Rupp-Adams-Godard

Looking at these names, this is easily one of the grittiest teams in the NHL. Seven of the 12 players are tough hitters.

It's even questionable if Godard will be needed because of the amount of fist power that is already on the lineup. A skill player may be of better use.

So even without Staal in the lineup for the beginning of the season, it seems that the Pens will be in pretty decent shape. This means it would be in Staal's best interest to take his time rehabbing his foot.

We can only imagine what will happen when he is healthy and returns.