Pittsburgh Penguins News

Rust was hurt in the second game of the season and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. This is another huge blow for the Penguins, who are already without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin upfront. Luckily for the Penguins, they only have seven games over the next three weeks, so Rust may not miss too many games.

Crosby has been skating with the team lately but will remain sidelined for Tuesday's game vs. the Stars. This is probably a logical decision, considering after Tuesday they are off until Saturday. Monitor his status as the week progresses.

Rust was banged up in the Penguins loss in Florida on Thursday and will not play tonight vs. Chicago. The Penguins did not provide a timetable on Rust's return but he will be replaced by Drew O'Connor tonight.

Lapierre was selected No.22 overall in the 2020 draft and cracked the Capitals lineup out of training camp with Nicklas Backstrom (hip) sidelined. Lapierre had eight goals and 23 assists (31 points) in 21 QMJHL goals last season and picked up five assists in four preseason games. Lapierre will start his NHL career as the Capitals third-line centre, with T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary on his wings.

Crosby was back on the ice on Monday and will travel to Florida on the Penguins' season-opening road trip but is not expected to play. The Penguins were pretty tight-lipped about Crosby's timeline, so the fact that he will travel and skate with the team is a good sign that he will not be sidelined for too long. Crosby has not yet been ruled out for the Penguins' home opener vs. the Blackhawks on Saturday.

After Wyatt Kalynuk went down with an injury, Jones seemed like a lock for the Blackhawks' third pair and second power-play unit. However, a left wrist strain will keep him out towards the end of November.

Malkin underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss at least the first two months of the 2021-22 season. Malkin will likely end up missing roughly 20-to-25 games. His draft stock will take a hit but he's still worth a mid-to-late round pick for his point-per-game production from December on.

Hallander was originally a second-round pick of the Penguins but was traded to the Maple Leafs as a part of the Kasperi Kapanen trade last summer. With the Expansion Draft looming, the Penguins were likely to lose Jared McCann for nothing, so this trade at least brings Hallander back to the organization. The 21-year-old had 13 goals and 11 assists (24 points) in 51 game with Lulea HF (SHL) in 2021.

Graves being dealt is a product of the Seattle Expansion Draft and New Jersey lands a solid top-4 defenseman that should fit in well with their emerging young blueline. Graves, who has two years left at $3.17M AAV, had two goals and 13 assists (15 points) in 54 games with the Avalanche in 2021.

Jones is entering the final year of a two-year deal that carries an $850K cap-hit. After showing flashes of a potential top-4 defenseman in 2020, Jones was in and out of the Oilers lineup in 2021, finishing the season with just four assists in 33 games. This deal sheds nearly $4.7M in cap-space for the Blackhawks and could be something that helps them pursue Caleb's brother, Seth, in the offseason.

Unlike the first two games, Malkin took part in line rushes and power-play work during the morning skate, so it looks like he will play in Game 3 vs. the Islanders. Malkin was on PP1 and centred the second line with Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen on his wings.