Maatta will take limited contact at Thursday's practice.

Analysis:

The Penguins won't let Maatta go full bore right away as he continues to recover from surgery, but the fact that he's on the ice suggests his recovery is going swimmingly. Once thought to be at risk of missing the start of the season, Maatta appears more likely than not to be in the lineup for the Penguins' Oct. 9 opener against the Ducks.