CRANBERRY, Pa. -- The Penguins' most important acquisition this trade deadline may just be a healthy Justin Schultz.
Schultz has been out of the lineup for nearly the entire season after fracturing his left leg in Montreal on Oct. 13, and has been taking steps towards a likely February return. He began skating on his own Jan. 5, and participated in Wednesday's morning skate in a red no-contact sweater.
Schultz was again in a no-contact sweater during Thursday's practice at the Lemieux Complex, but he was a full participant in the drills, and took some reps during power-play work. He spent some additional time on the ice before practice with skills coach Ty Hennes, and stayed on the ice for more work afterward. It's an encouraging sign of Schultz's progress.
"It's a big step for him," said Mike Sullivan said following practice. "We're excited to get him back in the fold here. We know he's a real good defenseman and he's going to help us moving forward."
Schultz spoke after practice for the first time since his injury. He joked that he missed the bright lights of the video cameras, while Jack Johnson and Chad Ruhwedel stood off to the side, lightly ribbing Schultz for the number of reporters waiting for him.
"It's been really slow obviously," Schultz said of his recovery. "The first couple of months were slow. It's starting to pick up now that I'm with the team most of the time now and skating and everything. It's getting fun now to be closer to returning."
Schultz said the next step in the process will be to take contact, and that it has been a smooth process so far.
"Each day, you do notice a little bit of improvement," Schultz said. "That's what you want, it's not going to get better overnight. It's a pretty serious injury, so as long as no setbacks it's all good."
For Sullivan, one of the added benefits of Schultz's return to the ice is the energy he brings. Schultz has obviously missed being away from the game, and his teammates have obviously missed having him. On-ice contributions aside, getting Schultz back in the fold is just huge for the team dynamic.
"The enthusiasm and the energy is contagious," Sullivan said. "I think Schultzie is excited to be on the ice, he's excited to be around his teammates, that's what drives these guys. When it's taken away from you, sometimes you appreciate it a little bit more when you get back into the environment."
There's no question that Schultz's teammates are excited to see him return to game action. Sidney Crosby spoke on what Schultz brings to the Penguins' lineup.
"He's important in a lot of different areas," Crosby said. "Just the way he moves the puck and skates, I think he can skate us out of trouble a lot of times. He sees the ice well and gets shots through, he helps out offensively that way, so I'd say a lot of different areas. I think as a whole that would be a big boost when he gets back."
Schultz has been away from the game for four months. He says this is the longest he has ever gone without skating. This is not an easy time of year to make a return, but it's the time when the Penguins need him the most.
"I'm coming back into a playoff race," said Schultz. "Everyone is ramping it up now. It's going to be difficult, but that's why you put all the work in practice and off the ice, getting ready and doing the best you can."
• Evgeni Malkin was absent from practice. Sullivan called it a maintenance day.
• Derick Brassard was a full participant in practice after sitting out Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Lightning with what the team called a nagging upper-body injury.
"I feel better," Brassard said following the skate. "It's something I've been feeling for a week or so. I felt better today, I had a full practice. We'll see how I feel tomorrow."
Brassard added that playing Friday against the Senators is a "possibility." Sullivan said Brassard's status remains day-to-day, and that the Penguins will make a decision on his status after seeing how he responded to practice.
When Brassard is healthy, is there a chance he still ends up sitting out?
"No," Sullivan said. "When he's ready to play, he'll play."