The Pittsburgh Penguins are finally getting some answers on the injury front-and not a moment too soon.
During his appearance on the GM Show, Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas offered a much-needed update on three key forwards: Justin Brazeau, Noel Acciari, and Rickard Rakell. While all three are still on the mend, there’s now a clearer timeline for when Penguins fans might expect to see them back on the ice.
Brazeau and Acciari Travel, But Not Quite Game-Ready
Brazeau and Acciari made the trip with the team to Tampa Bay, where the Penguins are set to face the Lightning before heading to Dallas for a Sunday matchup with the Stars. But while they’re with the team, don’t expect either to suit up just yet. According to Dubas, both players are still about seven to ten days away from returning to game action.
Brazeau, 27, had been making a strong impression before going down with an upper-body injury that sidelined him for all of November. In just 12 games, he tallied six goals and 12 points-an efficient burst of production that gave Pittsburgh a valuable scoring option outside of its top names.
Acciari, 34, may not light up the scoresheet, but his impact is felt in the trenches. Before his injury, he led all Penguins forwards in hits and blocked shots, bringing the kind of physical edge and defensive presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score but is felt every shift. Like Brazeau, he missed the entire month of November with an upper-body issue.
Rakell’s Timeline Extends Into Late December
Rickard Rakell’s situation is a bit more long-term. The veteran winger is expected to remain out for another three to four weeks as he recovers from hand surgery. He suffered the injury back on October 25 in a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets when he blocked a shot that fractured his left hand.
At the time of the injury, Rakell was skating on the Penguins’ top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, and he had been producing at a solid clip-three goals and eight points in nine games. His absence left a noticeable void in the team’s top-six rotation, particularly in terms of chemistry and puck movement on that first line.
Penguins Navigating the Storm
November was a grind for Pittsburgh. Since losing Brazeau, Acciari, and Rakell, the Penguins stumbled to a 4-5-3 record in the month, a noticeable dip after an 8-2-2 start to the season.
But lately, there’s been a pulse. The Penguins have won three of their last four games, and the reinforcements from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton have helped stabilize things.
Rutger McGroarty and Boko Imama were both called up ahead of Monday’s win over the Flyers, and their energy has been a welcome addition. While they’re not expected to carry the offensive load, both players bring fresh legs and a hunger to prove they belong at the NHL level-traits that can spark a team during a tough stretch.
What’s Next
Following Sunday’s tilt in Dallas, the Penguins return home for a five-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. With the team starting to rediscover its identity and key players inching closer to a return, this upcoming stretch could be pivotal. If they can hold the line until Brazeau, Acciari, and Rakell are back in the fold, the Penguins could be in a strong position to make a midseason push.
The path hasn’t been smooth, but the reinforcements are coming-and with them, a chance to get back to the kind of hockey Pittsburgh was playing early in the season.