PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Coach Dan Bylsma and the Pittsburgh Penguins remain uncertain of when center Jordan Staal will return to the team.

Staal suffered a cut to his foot during the playoffs last season, which resulted in an infection that kept him off the ice for the entire offseason.

Two days before Staal was to return to the ice, he was hit in the hand by a puck and suffered broken bones.

Staal has been sitting out for six weeks after the surgery on the broken hand, but doctors still haven't cleared him for practice.

Staal had played in all 82 games for the Penguins the previous three years. Over the past three years, Staal has 168 points with 84 goals and 84 assists.