Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is hopeful he'll be ready to return if and when the NHL season resumes.

"Every day, day by day, just hanging in there," Guentzel said, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby. "I'm getting better every day. Just kind of sticking to the protocol and what I have to do. If we start playing, hopefully I'll be ready by then."

Guentzel last played Dec. 30. He underwent shoulder surgery Dec. 31 and was slated to miss four-to-six months.

With Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan now in effect, Guentzel joined teammates Sidney Crosby, Casey DeSmith, Brian Dumoulin, and John Marino at the team's facility Tuesday.

"I think, for us, it's nice to be back with guys and see each other," Guentzel said. "It's been so long since we've seen each other and been on the ice with each other with not knowing what's going to happen. ... We're all really excited to get going."

While Guentzel may not have expected to play hockey again this season, he's thankful for the opportunity to get back onto the ice after the hiatus gave him additional time to rehab.

"I can take the positive out of this," Guentzel said. "Not really sure what would've happened if the season would've played out, so I can take these two or three months and use them to my advantage. If I can get rehabbed and feeling good, that'd be nice to get back playing."

Guentzel recorded 20 goals and 43 points over 39 games this season. He's been a key playoff performer for Pittsburgh, logging 24 goals and 43 points in 41 career postseason games.

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