As reported by Rob Rossi, The Athletic’s senior writer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Mike Sullivan announced a number of injuries to key Penguins players.
Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel is week-to-week with a lower-body injury he sustained against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 33-year-old has one point in 15 games this season. This is a big loss to the Penguins who are already without P.O. Joseph on their blueline as Joseph is listed on the injured reserve.
Rickard Rakell missed practice and is expected to be out ‘longer term’ with an upper-body injury. Rakell has four assists in 17 games this season.
Bryan Rust took the ice prior to the morning practice, but left just moments later; Sullivan stated Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. Rust has nine goals and 16 points in 17 games and has been a crucial part of the Pens’ top six.
Meanwhile, on the positive side of the news, the Penguins did see Vinnie Hinostroza and rookie defenseman John Ludvig return to practice. Ludvig was of course knocked out in his first NHL game after running into Dallas Stars bruiser Radek Faksa. Hinostroza missed just one game with an injury, he has three points in six games.
If Ludvig is still not cleared to play Wednesday against the New York Rangers, watch for the Penguins to recall one of Ty Smith, Taylor Fedun or Xavier Ouellet to fill in on the third pairing. Both Fedun and Ouellet have more NHL experience compared to that of Smith. Coach Sullivan also noted a number of names that might see their numbers called to replace the injured players. Among those names were Hinostoza, Jansen Harkins, and Alex Nylander.
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