Update on Mark Eaton

Last Saturday, Colton Orr hit Mark Eaton into the boards which forced him to hit face first. Up until now, there really weren't any specifics on the injury (everything from a broken nose to a bloodied eye). Eaton received stitches under the left side of his jaw and inside his nose, but participated in practice yesterday without any shield and it appears that Philippe Boucher will not replace Eaton in the lineup for tomorrow's game against the NJ Devils.

“It’s not healed but it’s not an issue,” Eaton said. “The stitches are still in there. It’s just a nuisance to have dry blood and stitches inside your nose.”

“I don’t believe that Eaton was that good looking before,” Bylsma joked. “I don’t think a couple stitches in his nose is a reason for him to come out of the lineup.”

Also newsworthy is that the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) nominated Eaton as the Penguins nominee for the 2009 Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the player who demonstrates perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

The upcoming Masterton announcement schedule:

Tuesday, March 31: Northeast Division

Wednesday, April 1: Southeast Division

Thursday, April 2: Central Division

Friday, April 3: Northwest Division

Monday, April 6: Pacific Division

The trophy will be awarded at the 2009 NHL Awards show on June 18, 2009 (to be aired on CBC and VERSUS).