Penguins' Phil Kessel: Questionable for start of season

Kessel (hand) was originally expected to be ready for the start of the 2016-17 campaign after offseason hand surgery, however that now appears to be in doubt, Josh Yohe of DK on Pittsburgh Sports reports. "At this point, based on where he's tracking, yes (he'll be able to start the season on time)," GM Jim Rutherford said. "But with surgery like that, you can't say 100 percent for sure. But even if it's not for the start of the season, it wouldn't be that much time."

Analysis:

An extended absence from Kessel would be prove to be a set back for the Penguins, but as they demonstrated last year, in an 82-game grind there is plenty of time to get back on track from a slow start. Fantasy owners don't need to panic, the winger, if he misses time, is on track to repeat his 2015-16 production in which he tabulated 26 goals and 33 assists and could even improve on those numbers with a full season under coach Mike Sullivan.