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Pittsburgh Penguins activate injured top-six forward, loan rookie to Team Canada
The Penguins have activated injured forward Rickard Rakell, and he could face the Sharks; Harrison Brunicke has also been loaned to Team Canada.
The Pittsburgh Penguins juggled their lineup Friday as they prepare for a busy weekend.
Defenseman Harrison Brunicke has officially departed to join Team Canada for the World Juniors in Minnesota, a tournament that could keep him away through early January, depending on Canada's run.
What Harrison Brunicke did on his conditioning assignment
Brunicke hasn't played in an NHL game since early November. After spending time as a healthy scratch, he went down to Wilkes-Barre on a conditioning assignment and posted four assists in five AHL games.
He's expected to take on a sizable role for Canada's under-20 team, which also added Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh. Parekh, selected ninth overall in 2024, has bounced between levels this season, logging 11 NHL games with Calgary.
With Brunicke gone, the Penguins wasted no time filling the void by activating Rickard Rakell off injured reserve. Rakell has been on the ice all week as he works his way back from a broken bone in his hand suffered late last month.
He had eight points in nine games before the injury and was coming off a career year with 35 goals and 70 points.
Why the Penguins need Rickard Rakell's help
The team clearly needs help. They've gone 0-1-2 in their last three outings and 4-3-3 since returning from their trip to Sweden.
Head coach Dan Muse is steering through a tight December slate, including a back-to-back at home this weekend against San Jose and Utah.
With Evgeni Malkin still out, Rakell's return brings much-needed skill and stability to a forward group dealing with injuries and heavy minutes.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 264 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins activate injured top-six forward, loan rookie to Team Canada Will Rickard Rakell play vs. the Sharks? | ||
| Yes | 205 | 77.7 % |
| No | 59 | 22.3 % |
| List of polls | ||