Downie didn't practice with the team Sunday, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. No explanation was given for Downie's absence, but the team's next game isn't until Thursday, so unless it's something injury-related that turns out to be serious, he shouldn't miss any time.

Downie scored Pittsburgh's lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota on Monday. Downie projects as a third line winger for the Pens, but he could see some time as a top-six forward due to injury. Downie could surprise after being reunited with assistant coach, Rick Tocchet. The winger scored 22 goals, 46 points, 208 PIM in 79 games in 2009-10 when Tocchet coached him in Tampa Bay.

Steve Downie feels that part of his job with the Pittsburgh Penguins will be protecting Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin."I can guarantee there won't be any liberties on those players this year," Downie said. Downie is capable of contributing offensively, but he definitely plays an aggressive, physical game that results in him spending a lot of time in the sin bin. He might end up serving on the Penguins' third-line, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up skating alongside Crosby and Malkin a fair amount of the time.

Steve Downie feels that part of his job with the Pittsburgh Penguins will be protecting Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. "I can guarantee there won't be any liberties on those players this year," Downie said. Downie is capable of contributing offensively, but he definitely plays an aggressive, physical game that results in him spending a lot of time in the sin bin. He might end up serving on the Penguins' third-line, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up skating alongside Crosby and Malkin a fair amount of the time.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Steve Downie to a one-year, $1 million contract. Downie is a pretty good signing at that price. He's been slowed by injuries in recent years, but when he's healthy, he's a gritty forward that can chip in offensively. He'll probably end up on the Penguins' third line, but there's an outside chance that he will find his way onto one of Pittsburgh's top two lines and his fantasy value will go up significantly if that happens.

Steve Downie is scheduled to undergo ear surgery on Wednesday. Downie already had a procedure on his other ear to deal with balance problems and hearing loss. He had 24 points and 106 penalty minutes in 62 contests in 2013-14.

Steve Downie underwent surgery on one of his ears and he will have a procedure on the other one. Downie was dealing with balance problems and wasn't able to participate in the playoffs. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Steve Downie (upper body) is officially out "indefinitely" as opposed to day-to-day. It's believed that Downie's upper-body injury is actually a concussion. He previously suffered one in November and Frank Seravalli's sources believe that his current symptoms stem from that injury. If that's the case, then Downie played through the head injury for the better part of the season, which would be a troubling and disturbing revelation to say the least.

Steve Downie will not play in Game 2 Sunday due to an upper body injury. Downie also missed Game 1 and has been out of the Flyers lineup since March 23. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Steve Downie is dealing with an upper-body injury. It's not clear if it's the same problem that he attempted to return from on April 8. The Flyers are calling him day-to-day, but he wasn't able to participate in Tuesday's practice.