The big news around the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday was Kyle Dubas’ update on Ben Kindelfollowing a medical incident on the team plane earlier this week. While episodes like the one he suffered are obviously never a good thing, it seemed like one of the best possible outcomes to provide that Kindel is now stable, back in Pittsburgh and will undergo further medical tests that could have him possibly back on the ice skating in a matter of days if cleared by doctors and specialists.
Later, coach
Dan Muse gave an update on forward Bryan Rust. It wasn’t a positive one. The forward did not return for the third period of Monday’s game against Utah and doesn’t appear like he will be back in the near future. Rust will be re-evaluated in six weeks with an undisclosed lower body injury.
Dealing with injuries, unfortunately, has been nothing new for Rust. Outside of 2022-23 when he played in 81 games, Rust has missed between 10 to 22 games in each of the seasons between 2021-26. The Pens have 16 games over the next six weeks, and Rust has already missed three games at the beginning of the season making it look likely this season will join most of the rest with him on the shelf for a prolonged period of time.
Despite the injuries, Rust has remained a productive and important member of the team – averaging 58 points over the last five seasons. He scored 65 points in each of the last two seasons. His loss will be felt all over the ice, Rust has been a regular on the top line with Sidney Crosby, Rust recorded two power play assists last game before being injured and is third among forwards on the team for penalty kill time on ice per game.
Rust’s absence will add significance to the play of wingers like Ville Koivunen and Andrei Kuzmenko to help pick up the slack production-wise. On the trickle down effects it may also mean an opportunity for players like Elmer Soderblom and the recently recalled Rutger McGroarty to get into the lineup now that a position in the lineup has opened up. It also stresses the importance of veterans like Tommy Novak and Rickard Rakell to come through without one of the team’s most trusted and reliable players in the near future. The Pens don’t have a 1:1 replacement for a player as vital as Rust has been, it will require a group effort across the board for the wingers and forwards to make up for his absence.
One player who also might help in that department is Justin Brazeau, who has yet to make his 2026-27 debut after getting injured in a preseason game. Muse gave the update that Brazeau has not yet joined the team at-large for a practice and continues to skate on his own as he rehabs his undisclosed lower body injury, with no clear timeline of when he might progress into the next steps for his return.
