Sidney Crosby's return to the ice still remains an open question. But despite the Penguins formally placing him on injured reserve on Monday, the former MVP could return at any time, a team source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
Under league rules, if a player is placed on the injured list, he must wait seven days to return to action. But because Crosby was still on the injured list from last season, the seven-day waiting period would not apply, the source said.
Crosby is continuing to recover from concussion-like symptoms sustained last January. He has been skating with the Penguins since training camp opened but has not yet been cleared for contact.
The Penguins open the season on Thursday at Vancouver.
Information from ESPN.com hockey writer Pierre LeBrun was used in this report.