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Penguins’ Injury Update: Rickard Rakell Undergoes Successful Surgery

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Oct 26, 2025 12:57 PM ET

Following an injury on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Sunday that forward Rickard Rakell will miss the next several weeks of the NHL season while recovering from successful surgery. They wrote in a statement:

“Forward Rickard Rakell underwent successful surgery on his left hand today. The procedure was performed by Dr. John Fowler in collaboration with head team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas at UPMC Mercy Hospital. The expected recovery time is six to eight weeks.”

Forward Rickard Rakell underwent successful surgery on his left hand today.

The procedure was performed by Dr. John Fowler in collaboration with head team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas at UPMC Mercy Hospital.

The expected recovery time is six to eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/Ljp9dzjgDX
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) October 26, 2025

Rakell underwent successful surgery on his left hand after a Saturday injury during a shootout loss to Columbus. The 32-year-old Penguins forward, who has three goals and five assists in nine games, He had been on the team’s first line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.

Ville Koivunen, 22, was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL as a follow-up move. The Penguins acquired Koivunen in the trade that sent Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He played eight games with Pittsburgh at the end of last season, recording seven assists.

Koivunen started the 2025-26 season in Pittsburgh but was demoted back to the AHL when Rust was activated from the injured reserve.

The Penguins are hoping this injury news to Rakell doesn’t derail the strong start to their season. They sit fourth in the NHL standings with a 6-2-1 start.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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