Trevor van Riemsdyk took part in team practice with contact cleared but is not expected to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Coach Dan Muse said van Riemsdyk is “moving in the right direction” after recent practices, but the defenseman was not deployed in his usual pairing with Ilya Solovyov. The Penguins maintained the same defensive line combinations from recent games, leaving van Riemsdyk’s immediate game status unchanged.
Van Riemsdyk has appeared in only five games this season, sidelined by injury. His return could strengthen Pittsburgh’s penalty kill, which has struggled at times. Since van Riemsdyk’s injury, the Penguins acquired Spencer Stastney via trade, who has been integrated into the defensive group. That addition complicates the decision on how to slot van Riemsdyk back into the lineup.
Meanwhile, Bryan Rust and Elmer Soderblom skated before practice, though there was no change in their injury status, according to Dan Muse. Rust has been out since October 19 with a lower body injury, and his recovery was initially set for re-evaluation in six weeks from October 22. That places him roughly halfway through his timeline, with a potential return in late November or early December. Soderblom, sidelined since October 24 with a day-to-day injury later revised to week-to-week, appears to be in the early stages of recovery.
Ryan Graves remains on injured reserve without recent updates. He underwent surgery on one knee and planned rehab before further surgery on the other knee, a process announced at the season’s start. The team has not indicated any change in the expectation that Graves will miss the entire season as he addresses his health.
The Penguins’ practice saw some lineup adjustments beyond injury returns. Tommy Novak switched back to wing, while Hendrix Lapierre, who was a healthy scratch last game, is being prepared for a return to the lineup. That move could push Ville Koivunen out of the lineup as a healthy scratch after Lapierre replaced him on power play duties in practice.
Pittsburgh has played 19 games so far this season, with only ten players dressing for every game. Injuries have forced frequent changes, with four players currently on injured reserve. The team faces a break after Saturday’s game with four days off before a busy stretch in November, featuring seven games in 12 days.
The Penguins’ lineup for Saturday will keep Rakell, Crosby, and Malkin together up front, with Novak, Kindel, and Chinakhov on the second line. Robertson, Lapierre, and Brazeau form the third line, and Dewar, Lizotte, and McGroarty the fourth. Defensively, Stastney pairs with Karlsson, Girard with Korczak, Carlile with Letang, and Solovyov with van Riemsdyk.
Van Riemsdyk’s return remains an ongoing process, with the team cautious about rushing him back. The latest updates confirm he is progressing but not yet ready to rejoin the active roster.
According to Yahoo Sports.
