The Pittsburgh Penguins got one key forward back on the active roster Thursday, but the move came with another injury change attached.
According to the team, Pittsburgh activated Justin Brazeau from injured reserve and placed Elmer Söderblom on it in a corresponding move. The Penguins also sent Avery Hayes and defenseman Chase Pietila to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Those assignments could clear the way for more roster action as soon as tomorrow. Based on the last two days of practice, there’s growing optimism that defenseman Samuel Girard, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and forward Benjamin Kindel, who exited with a vasovagal episode, may be available for the next game against the Utah Mammoth.
Brazeau’s return is a welcome one after a lower-body injury in preseason knocked him out of action. He had already missed Pittsburgh’s first 12 games of the 2026-27 season, on top of the 18 games he missed last year. If he picks up where he left off, though, he should give the Penguins a real boost on offense.
The New Liskeard, ON native signed a two-year, $3MM deal with Pittsburgh before the 2025-26 season. He made the most of that opportunity, posting 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games while finishing at a plus-5 rating and averaging 12:39 of ice time. Most of that production came while he skated on the third line with Anthony Mantha and Kindel.
Söderblom’s move to injured reserve comes one day after Pittsburgh said he would miss the next few days with an upper-body injury. Because of the team’s longer break between games, he remains eligible to return on Saturday and has only missed one contest.
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