Forward Jordan Staal, one of the Penguins' core players, has had "a few setbacks" while recovering from his second foot surgery, general manager Ray Shero said Thursday.

Staal will be re-evaluated next week.

"This is a matter of whether he will be ready for training camp and then, if not, when can he go hard?" Shero said.

Camp starts next month.

He stressed that the tendon on the top of Staal's foot is strong but that there are other issues holding him back. Staal is in Pittsburgh and is rehabbing his right foot and working out but is not skating. He passed on a scheduled trip to Haiti with a couple of teammates last weekend.

He was injured April 30 in Game 1 of the Penguins' second-round playoff series against Montreal when the skate of Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban sliced through the top of Staal's skate and cut the tendon. Staal had surgery that night but surprised nearly everyone when he came back after missing just two games to finish the series.

Staal had a second foot operation in June.

Shero said that with training camp lasting nearly three weeks before the team's Oct. 7 season opener, there should be plenty of time for Staal to get back to full health and game shape.

Staal, who will turn 22 in 15 days, is a strong two-way player who had 21 goals and matched a career high with 49 points last season.

Shero, has said Staal or Evgeni Malkin might be moved from center to the wing to strengthen the top two lines. If Staal is not healthy, the switch could be put on hold.

Defenseman Brooks Orpik, who had sports hernia surgery, and winger Chris Kunitz, who rehabbed a torn groin muscle, are skating, working out and expected to be in top form for camp, Shero said.

The Penguins are unsure where prospect goaltender Alex Pechurski will play this season.

"Last we heard, he would be released by his Russian team," Shero said.

Pechurski, 20, has a contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the same team that produced Penguins center Evgeni Malkin but caused obstacles for Malkin joining the Penguins.

Tickets for two of the Penguins' preseason home games -- Sept. 22 against Detroit in the first hockey game to be played at Consol Energy Center, and Sept. 28 against defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago -- are now on sale. Visit www.ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster outlets or the arena box office.

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