PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Maxime Talbot to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.
Talbot, 24, returned to practice Friday following an undisclosed injury, described by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a foot injury.
"Max has developed into one of the key players in our organization," executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero said on the team's Web site.
The 5-11, 185-pounder was injured on Dec. 12 against the New York Islanders and his playing status has been day-to-day.
In 28 contests, Talbot, one of Pittsburgh's young lions with Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal, and Evgeni Malkin, has compiled seven points (four goals, three assists), and 18 penalty minutes.
In the 2007-08 regular season, he scored a career-highs 26 points (12 goals and 14 assists) with 53 penalty minutes, and in 17 playoff contests, he accumulated nine points (three goals, six assists) with 36 penalty minutes while helping the Penguins reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
Late Friday, Shero announced that defenseman Ryan Whitney has been assigned to the Penguins' AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a conditioning assignment.
He practiced Friday at Mellon Arena before traveling, but has not played this season because of foot surgery.
