Olli Maatta (upper body) is expected to skate before team practices for the next several days as part of his recovery process, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Maatta (upper body) is expected to skate before team practices for the next several days as part of his recovery process, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Analysis:

Pens coach Mike Johnston sounded optimistic his defender might return in less than the three or four weeks he was originally projected to miss. "I'm hoping it might progress over the next few days," Johnston said. Maatta has already missed one week after being checked into the boards from behind by Minnesota's Nino Niederreiter.