When Pittsburgh Penguins left-winger Pascal Dupuis was first diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in November, the Penguins staff knew that it would be difficult for Dupuis to play again this season.
He was required to miss at least six months from the time of diagnosis. That would have given him a return date of mid-May, which is late into the playoffs, but still possible for a return.
Today, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford announced that Dupuis will not be returning this season.
“Based on the doctor’s report, I don’t believe we’ll see Pascal this year,” Rutherford said in a video released by the team. “He’s not going to be cleared to play until June.”
“Even though the does skate on his own and he does work out, there’s still the blood clot situation that they’re dealing with,” Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said. “Pascal Dupuis won’t play for us this season.”
Dupuis, 35, has now suffered two blood clots, in addition to a major knee surgery, in the last two years. In February, Dupuis wrote an excellent article in The Players’ Tribune in which he emphasized how determined he is to eventually make a return to the ice.
“I’m 35. I know I don’t have much time left. But I’m getting out of that press box prison. I don’t care if it takes six months or a year or two years. I will get healthy. I will play in the National Hockey League again.”
In the meantime, he has been helping the coaching staff with the offense this season. His future in the NHL is definitely still in doubt, but he has a believer in Rutherford.
“I do feel very confident that he’ll return to the team next year,” Rutherford said.
Dupuis still has two more season remaining on his contract that will pay him $3.75 million annually.
Photo credit: Sports Illustrated
