Penguins Hit Hard By Injuries, Rickard Rakell The Most Significant

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a hefty dose of bad injury news on Tuesday, most notably the fact that top-six forward Rickard Rakell is out "longer term" with an upper-body injury.

Injury updates from Mike Sullivan:
- Rickard Rakell is longer-term with an upper-body injury.
- Bryan Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
- Chad Ruhwedel is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
- Matt Nieto is a maintenance day.

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Also on the list of walking wounded is Bryan Rust, another top-six forward who is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. He attempted to try to skate at practice Tuesday morning, but wasn't able to go. Also, defenseman Chad Ruhwedel is week to week after suffering a lower-body injury.

As for Rakell, he's been off to a tough start this season with just four assists in 17 games, after potting 28 goals and 60 points last year. His minutes have been down as well, from better than 18 last year to just 15:35 this season.

The Pens face the New York Rangers Wednesday night, and will have to make a number of changes to the lineup. 

Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports