STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Coach Michel Therrien said today that defenseman Brooks Orpik will serve as an alternate captain through the duration of injured defenseman Sergei Gonchar's recovery from left shoulder surgery. Gonchar is out at least four months; he underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Thursday in Pittsburgh to repair a dislocated left shoulder.
Therrien also confirmed a Tribune-Review report from earlier in the week that center Evgeni Malkin will be the first player to serve as one of the Penguins' rotating alternate captains. Malkin will serve as an alternate this month. A new player will serve in that capacity every month during the regular season.
"We're missing an assistant captain, and the direction we're going to go, we're trying to extend our leadership group," Therrien said after the Penguins' practiced at Globe Arena. "The first (rotating alternate) will be Malkin, and it's well deserved. Because we are missing Gonchar, we'll give the role to Orpik, who has become a leader. It's well-deserved as well."
As expected, Sidney Crosby will remain the club captain.
Right wing Petr Sykora did not practice today and his status for regular-season games this weekend against Ottawa is uncertain.
