Penguins activate F Rickard Rakell (hand) from IR

The Pittsburgh Penguins activated forward Rickard Rakell from injured reserve Friday, after the veteran missed 20 games with a hand injury.

Rakell, 32, is expected to rejoin the first line, alongside Sidney Crosby, when the Penguins face the San Jose Sharks at home Saturday.

In just nine games this season, Rakell had eight points (three goals). He last was on the ice Oct. 25 when he played 15 minutes against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The roster move comes just a week after Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas said that Rakell could be as many as four weeks away from a return.

In 14 NHL seasons, Rakell has accumulated 527 points (239 goals) over 811 games wit the Anaheim Ducks (2012-22) and Penguins. He was the 30th overall draft pick by the Ducks in 2011.