The Real Reason Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke Were Suddenly Scratched Tonight Revealed
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
The Penguins will not be playing with Ben Kindel or Harrison Brunicke in their lineup, and the real reason for this is that it's part of Dan Muse's rotational plan.
Harrison Brunicke and Ben Kindel will not be in the lineup Thursday night, and it's for a simple reason.
Penguins coach Dan Muse spoke to the media two hours before the start of play against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center and made a series of lineup changes.
Among them, rookie blue-line defenseman Harrison Brunicke and centerman Ben Kindel will be healthy scratches.
Muse indicated the move is a maneuver within a larger plan to help Brunicke and also fellow young centerman Kindel strengthen and continue developing as NHL players.
"With Brunicke, and the same thing could be said for [Ben] Kindel, these are young players. We're looking at what's best for them now, but also for them to continue to grow over the course of the season," the rookie head coach said. "So there will be times throughout the start of the year where they're coming out of the lineup.
"This is all part of the plan for them. Kyle [Dubas] along with [director of performance] Rich Rotenberg, they have experience with this coming from Toronto. There's been a lot of discussions with them and with the rest of the staff in terms of what's going to be best for these younger players, guys in their teens coming into this league."
"It's something I strongly agree with," Muse added. "I've learned some lessons myself, just with my time working with young players. There is a reasoning behind this."
"This is all part of the plan for them. Kyle [Dubas] along with [director of performance] Rich Rotenberg, they have experience with this coming from Toronto. There's been a lot of discussions with them and with the rest of the staff in terms of what's going to be best for these younger players, guys in their teens coming into this league."
"It's something I strongly agree with," Muse added. "I've learned some lessons myself, just with my time working with young players. There is a reasoning behind this."
Brunicke and Kindel won't be the only ones not playing tonight. Defenseman Caleb Jones and forward Noel Acciari also will be missing. In their spot will be veterans Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton, both of whom will be making their Penguins debuts.
There is Some Good News: Kris Letang Will Be Back in Action
Back as well is Kris Letang after missing time with an injury he incurred Saturday. Acciari is out for his first healthy scratch since arriving with the Penguins. His place will be taken by Philip Tomasino, who was a healthy scratch for the past two games.
With a number of new faces in the lineup, Tuesday's game against Anaheim might provide an early indication of how Muse intends to manage development and competition throughout the season.
Update: Dan Muse has revealed that Brunicke will actually be in tonight's game, leaving Kindel as the only rookie scratched.
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